Eastern Illinois University’s softball team lost its 15-game winning streak on March 31 after a 3-0 defeat to Indiana State at Price Field.
The Panthers, who had been performing strongly in recent games, were limited to just two hits during the match. Mo Hance and Marybeth Dyson each contributed one hit for Eastern Illinois. The team’s last loss before this game was on March 1 against Grand Canyon.
Karlie McKenzie started as pitcher for the Panthers and held off Indiana State until the sixth inning, when Madison Poulson and Hannah Welch drew walks. Claire Connelly then drove in the first run with a single to center field. Later in the inning, Emi Jeras and Sophie Esposito added runs for Indiana State, which finished with five hits—three of them by Connelly. Caylee Gaytan earned the win in relief for Indiana State.
Despite advancing runners to third base in both the fourth and sixth innings, Eastern Illinois could not capitalize with key hits. Alisha Frederick reached base on a walk in the sixth inning, extending her streak of consecutive games reaching base to thirteen.
With this result, Eastern Illinois fell to a record of 20 wins and 17 losses while Indiana State improved its season record to 18-16.
