Back-to-Back Homers Not Enough vs. Morehead
JACKSONVILLE, Ala – Back-to-back home runs from
Ally Nolte and
Taylor Lawson in the fourth inning, the first long balls of the season for both players, was not enough to keep Eastern Illinois softball alive at the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, as Morehead State rallied for a 7-4 victory in the elimination game Friday morning.
The Panthers finished their 2008 campaign with a 20-26 record.
With two on and two out, Nolte connected for a three-run homer to left to put EIU on top 3-2. Lawson followed with solo shot over the right field fence. It marked the second time this season the Panthers have hit back-to-back jacks.
Kiley Holtz and
Denee’ Menzione also accomplished the feat in game two of the March doubleheader at Southeast Missouri.
However, Morehead (34-15) scored four times in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead back. Bianca Cardenas tied the game with a two-run double and Korey Ellis put her team ahead to stay with a two-run homer.
The consecutive homers from Nolte and Lawson chased OVC Pitcher of the Year Alex Gjevre from game, but the Panthers were unable to score against reliever Sarah Funston (6-3).
Eastern left the bases loaded in the first and fifth innings and stranded 12 runners on base in its two tournament games. The Panthers’ first batter of an inning also reached safely four times for the second game in a row. Yet, the four-run fourth inning Friday marked the only frame that EIU scored in at the tournament.
Megan Nelson (three) and
Sarah Coppert (two) both collected multiple hits in the loss Friday. Nelson led the way with a 5-for-7 showing in the two games. However, she was thrown out on both of her attempts to steal second base. Coppert, meanwhile, has hit safely in all six OVC Tournament games she has played in during her career.
For the second game in a row, all three of EIU’s primary pitchers saw action in the circle.
Karyn Mackie could not escape the first inning for the second consecutive day.
Kathleen Jacoby (8-11) brought the opening frame to a close and gave up just one hit prior to the fifth inning. But back-to-back singles to begin the frame set the stage for MSU’s four-run rally.
A pair of singles, sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch allowed Morehead to plate an insurance run against
Ashley Robison in the sixth.
Eastern pitching walked 12 batters while registering just one strikeout in its 12 tournament innings. At the plate, meanwhile, EIU hitters drew just one walk.
The two-and-out showing marked just the second time in EIU’s eight all-time OVC Tournament appearances that it has failed to win at least one game. A tough draw had a lot to do with the winless trip to Alabama. The Panthers had to match-up against the three-time defending tourney champ, Tennessee Tech, Thursday and the second-seeded Eagles after Samford upset MSU yesterday.
The Panthers will have to bid adieu to four seniors – the Mackie twins, Nolte and Robison – but are expected to return six starters and 11 letter-winners for the 2009 season.
More Info: Contact
Ben Turner, Asst. SID
