CHARLESTON, Ill. -- With improved weather finally arriving in the Midwest region, the Eastern Illinois softball squad have added a couple doubleheaders to their spring lineup, as the Panthers are now set to travel to Evansville and Western Kentucky this coming Saturday (March 13) and Tuesday (March 16), respectively.

The twinbill at UE's Cooper Stadium is slated for a 1 pm start with the second game to follow at approximately 3 pm, while the two WKU contests are tabbed for 4 and 6 pm starts.

After opening the season with three consecutive weekends of multi-game invitational action, the Panthers sport a 6-7 overall mark. Meanwhile, the Purple Aces are 4-6 on the season prior to a Thursday matchup at Lipscomb, with the Hilltoppers at 7-8 overall before competing at this weekend's Florida Atlantic tourney.

Six of Evansville's games have come against Panther rivals from the Ohio Valley Conference, including Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, and a newcomer to the sport of softball, Murray State. The Aces recently took a game from the Lady Govs, while splitting with EKU and winning two of three over the Racers.

Western Kentucky has also already faced several OVC foes this season, including losing to league favorite Jacksonville State and last season's tourney champion, UT Martin, while also having dropped a close game to future OVC rival SIU-Edwardsville.

Last season, Eastern trumped the Aces with consecutive 6-3 road wins, as current players Hayley Pieper and Kiley Holtz each nailed two-out homers in the first game victory. During the NCAA Division I era, the Panthers own a 19-10-2 all-time series advantage over the Missouri Valley Conference squad.

The last time the Panthers have battled WKU was back in 2003, with EIU winning a 5-4 game in Bowling Green, Ky., and currently own a 2-1 overall series lead over the Hilltoppers.

Following these two doubleheaders, the Panthers will continue their southern road swing as they head to Chattanooga on Thu., March 18 for a twinbill, prior to opening OVC action in a three-game weekend series at defending league champion Jacksonville State on March 20-21. 

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID