In a hard-fought battle, the No. 1 seeded Eastern Kentucky University softball team endured a heart-wrenching 3-2 loss to the No. 4 seed Florida Gulf Coast in 10 innings, marking the opening game of the 2024 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament at Choccolocco Park on Thursday night.
Tough Road Ahead
With the defeat, EKU (40-9, 21-3 ASUN) finds itself relegated to the consolation bracket, facing the daunting task of winning the next five games in the tournament to secure the coveted ASUN Tournament trophy.
Standout Performances
Vianna Barron and 2024 ASUN Player of the Year Jeanay Riley led the offensive charge for the Colonels, both going 2-for-5 on the day. Barron played a pivotal role in tying the contest at two in the bottom of the fifth inning with a clutch single up the middle, scoring Riley and Maggie Pertee.
Pitching Duel
EKU utilized two pitchers in Thursday night’s matchup. Freshman ASUN Pitcher of the Year Maddi Rutan started strong, tallying 4.0 innings with two strikeouts. Junior Lauren Narvaez (3-2) entered in relief, showcasing her prowess by allowing only one hit across 6.0 innings. Despite her stellar performance, Narvaez was tagged with the loss as the Eagles capitalized in the top of the 10th inning.
Next Steps
Following the tough loss, EKU’s subsequent consolation game against No. 7 seed Queens was postponed due to lightning in the nearby area, delaying their chance at redemption.
Looking ahead, EKU gears up to face the No. 7 seeded Royals in the consolation bracket tomorrow at 1 p.m. EST. Despite the setback, the Colonels remain determined to bounce back and showcase their resilience in pursuit of tournament success. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+ as EKU aims to turn the tide and reignite their championship aspirations.
