The Eastern softball team scored early and often to roll past Morehead State 12-6 for it’s second straight win.

The Panthers (7-17, 4-5 Ohio Valley Conference) took two-of-three from the Eagles (7-17, 4-5) in the series, with freshman pitcher Karyn Mackie earning both wins.

Mackie pitched four-and-one-third innings of relief for Eastern, allowing one hit and one run.

“We got solid back-to-back games out of Karyn in this series. Today, she made them hit it on the ground and let the defense do the work,” Searle said. “That’s what we’ve been looking for.”

Eastern jumped out to an early lead in the final game of the series, scoring four runs in the first inning against a pitcher who shut them out the day before, senior Stefanie Hernandez.

“I wish I knew why we couldn’t hit her yesterday and then come out and score four runs on her in the first,” Eastern head coach Lloydene Searle said. “We were patient and had long pitch counts.”

In the top of the second, Morehead answered back with three runs of its own against senior pitcher Heather Hoeschen, who allowed just six hits and no earned runs in 10 innings Tuesday.

In the top of the third, Morehead loaded up the bases with no outs, trailing 5-3. The next two hitters grounded out to third basemen Rachel Karos, who was able to save runs with the force out at home.

But before Hoeschen could work out of the jam, Morehead freshman first baseman Michelle McCrady singled through the right side to bring in two runs and tie the game at five.

At that point, Searle brought in Karyn Mackie, who got the Panthers out of the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Panthers put up another six runs, courtesy of four hits and two Eagle errors. Eastern hit Hernandez with 11 runs and 10 hits before she was pulled at the end of the inning.

Two players had three hits in the Panthers’ OVC win, sophomore second baseman Katy Steele and freshman right fielder Robyn Mackie.

Eastern had three players driving in two RBIs, sophomore catcher Sandyn Short, junior leftfielder Cassandra North and junior designated player Nicole Eichelberger.

“We have multiple hitters in our lineup, so you can’t isolate just one person,” Searle said. “We have a little better supporting staff this season than we did last year.”

Coming off its first series win in conference, Searle said the best has yet to come for Eastern.

“We’re chipping away, but we’re not looking to win series,” she said. “We take it one pitch at a time.

“We haven’t peaked yet.”