A pivotal fourth inning propelled the Eastern Kentucky University softball team to an 11-6 win over Western Kentucky University to split the midweek twin bill after dropping game one 3-2.
Kelly Wood started out the fourth with a single to right center, followed by Krislyn Campos reaching. Mia Sanchez dropped a great piece of hitting with a bunt to load the bases for the heavy-hitting first baseman. Rachel Minogue delivered a single up the middle to plate a run and made it a one-run ballgame, 4-3.
Johnkyria Alston then stepped to the plate and sent a sacrifice fly down the right field line to push the tying run across and put runners on the lead bases. Hannah Clark kept momentum going with a single to push across Sanchez and take the lead. After tacking on another hit Brittany Oldaker sent a two-run single up the middle to make it 7-4 EKU.
Western Kentucky (27-27) notched two runs on three hits in the top of the sixth to make its final run at the Eastern lead. The Colonels responded with four runs of their own in the bottom of the inning to add insurance and ultimately put the game out of reach.
Alston finished the second game 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Oldaker went 1-for-1 with three RBIs and a run scored and Kelly Wood had two hits in three at bats with an RBI.
In game one EKU (23-29, 9-9 OVC) was behind three runs to begin the seventh inning but a single from Clark and two-bagger from Paige Murphy put two runners. Those two were pushed across by ground-outs from Oldaker and Murray. The tying run was stranded on second.
Amber Murray threw out two runners stealing to make it an OVC-leading 16 on the season.
The Colonels return to action on Saturday where they will wrap up regular season play against in-state rival Morehead State. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m.
— www.EKUSports.com —
Kevin Britton
Assistant Athletics Director for Communications & Branding