A barrage of extra base hits from Western Illinois enabled the Westerwinds to hand the Panthers two losses in Saturday’s double-header in Macomb.

Eastern’s attempt at a first game comeback fell short as the team lost 3-2, and the Panthers (5-15) were blown out in Game 2 falling 12-4.

In Game 1, Western (12-14) jumped on Eastern senior pitcher Kristen Becker early scoring two runs in the second and in the third inning to take a 3-0 lead.

Eastern got on the board in the sixth inning off of two Western errors for two runs. Senior outfielder Carrie Ninness opened the inning with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Kari Hagerty. Senior Jen Green then reached first on an error advancing Ninness to third.

Ninness was sent home on the next at bat when junior infielder Kristin Lovering grounded to Western pitcher Becky Sullivan. Sophomore Bridget Owen, pinch running for Green, came in behind Ninness after another error by Western. Becker lined out to second base to end the threat.

Becker took the loss for Eastern, throwing six innings and giving up two earned runs on seven hits. Sullivan went the distance for Western, giving up no earned runs on five hits. The Panthers went down in order in the second, fourth and fifth innings.

Eastern was led by Lovering and Hagerty, who had two hits a piece.

In game two the Westerinds’ bats awakened, but it was the Panthers that would strike first. Eastern came out strong, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning off of Western pitcher Lindsay Tasker. Green reached home on a Lovering double to left center. Lovering later scored on an error by Western’s shortstop for a 2-0 Panther lead.

The lead wouldn’t last long because Western added four runs in the fourth and five more in the fifth off of freshman hurler Ashley Condon.

Hagerty replaced Condon in the fourth, but without much luck. Western outfielder Hannah Tull sent Hagerty’s first pitch over the center field wall making the score 10-3. The Westerwinds added two more runs in the inning to increase the lead to 12-3.

Eastern was unable to avoid the eight run mercy rule as they were only able to score one run in the top of the fifth to end the game 12-4.

Condon was given the loss giving up nine runs in three innings of work.

Western got four home runs in Game 2 off the Panther pitchers and also added four doubles.

Western outfielder Cassandra Hallstrom led the Westerwinds with two home runs and six RBI while Lovering and Hagerty added two more hits and giving each four hits on the weekend.