Hopes of a positive outcome in the Eastern softball team’s home-opener were washed away by a solid Indiana State pitching performance in game one and a weather cancellation in game two.

Indiana State pitcher Emily Germer out-dueled Eastern senior pitcher Kristen Becker in a 1-0 Sycamore victory. Germer gave up just three hits going the distance for Indiana State.

Indiana State head coach Brenda Coldren is happy her team was able to respond after it fell to the Panthers last week in the Western Kentucky Tournament.

“We really picked up our level of play,” Coldren said. “Emily threw a great game coming off of an injury. She did a good job of keeping the batters off balance.”

Becker had an equally impressive game giving up one run on four hits while striking out six, but lacked the run support moving her record to 4-6 on the season.

“Any time you have a pitcher have four or less hits is outstanding,” Eastern head coach Lloydene Searle said. “It would warrant a win, but we didn’t support her with the offense.”

The Sycamores (6-10) got the game’s lone run in the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Sarah Lemond led off with a triple and later scored on a fielder’s choice.

Eastern (5-13) had its best opportunity in the fifth inning when it loaded the bases with no outs.

Senior catcher Kristin Darnell led off with a walk. Darnell beat out a fielder’s choice at second allowing freshman outfielder Cassandra North to reach first. Freshman Nicole Eichelberger loaded the bases with a single to left field.

Freshman Jessica Irps then failed on a suicide squeeze as Darnell was forced out at home. Senior Carrie Ninness then flied out and junior Kari Hagerty grounded out to first to end the scare.

“We had a couple of situations where we couldn’t capitalize,” Searle said. “We just didn’t hit it when we needed it.”

The Panthers were not able to get revenge in game two because of lightning and rain that suspended play in the first inning.

Eastern next travels to Western Illinois this weekend for a double-header scheduled for 1 p.m. The Panthers beat the Leathernecks 2-1 March 9 in the Western Kentucky Tournament.

“They are a tough team, and we played them well,” Searle said. “Hopefully we can start getting some runs across the plate.”