Eastern Illinois University softball reached two season milestones on April 26 as the Panthers secured a 7-4 victory against Southern Indiana, completing a weekend sweep at USI Softball Field.
The win improved Eastern Illinois to a record of 30-20 overall and 20-3 in the Ohio Valley Conference. This marks the fourth consecutive season that Eastern Illinois has won at least 30 games and the third straight year with more than 20 conference victories. Southern Indiana fell to an overall record of 13-28 and is now 10-14 in conference play.
In the opening inning, Eastern Illinois took an early lead with runs driven in by Sophia Olman, Mo Hance, and Marybeth Dyson. Southern Indiana answered back in the bottom half of the first inning, capitalizing on a Panthers error to score four unearned runs. Jadyn Tinsley and Olivia Money each contributed RBI before Jordan Mackey delivered a two-run single that put Southern Indiana ahead.
Senior Bryanna French entered as relief pitcher for Eastern Illinois during the first inning and held Southern Indiana scoreless over six innings, earning her ninth win of the season. Olman drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth inning to tie the game, followed by Abbi Hatton’s single that gave Eastern Illinois back the lead.
Lizzie Stiverson added an insurance run in the fifth inning while Alisha Frederick’s RBI single in the seventh brought home what would be their final run. Stiverson and Lexie Griffin each collected two hits for Eastern Illinois. For Southern Indiana, Mackey and Alyssa Mumaw also recorded two hits apiece. Anna Kemp was charged with her eleventh loss this season as pitcher for Southern Indiana.
The outcome continues recent trends for both teams: consistent success for Eastern Illinois within their conference and ongoing challenges for Southern Indiana.
