Eastern Illinois University won its 15th consecutive softball game on Mar. 29, defeating Western Illinois University 7-4 to complete a weekend series sweep at Williams Field.
The victory improves Eastern Illinois’ overall record to 20-16 and keeps them undefeated in the Ohio Valley Conference with a 12-0 mark, marking their best conference start in school history. Western Illinois falls to an overall record of 8-20 and is now 3-8 in conference play.
Western Illinois scored first for the third straight game, bringing home an unearned run against Eastern starter Bryanna French. However, Eastern responded strongly in the bottom of the first inning. Sophia Olman walked with the bases loaded to tie the game before Brooklyn Groppel and Marybeth Dyson each hit two-run doubles, giving EIU a five-run inning off WIU starter Libby Spaulding.
Olman added another two-run double in the second inning, driving in three runs total and extending EIU’s lead to 7-1. Despite four errors by Eastern that allowed Western to score additional unearned runs—one in the fourth and two more in the fifth—the Panthers held on for victory. Ruby Tarr and Angie Ortiz drove in runs for WIU during that stretch.
Karlie McKenzie pitched scoreless sixth and seventh innings for her first save of the season. Lizzie Stiverson and Groppel led EIU offensively with two hits each, while Payton Brown and Sophia Sanchez had two hits apiece for WIU.
The win continues a strong run for Eastern Illinois as they look ahead to maintain their unbeaten streak within conference play.
