Panthers don’t win sweep
Senior Chelsea Adams did her part offensively.
But Eastern’s pitching didn’t hold it together for one inning during Monday’s non-conference doubleheader at Indiana-Purdue-Indianapolis, giving the Panthers a split against the Jaguars.
The Panthers won the first game 5-4, before losing the second game 7-5.
The loss wasn’t because of an inept Eastern offense.
The Panthers had 19 hits on the day, with the shortstop Adams leading the way.
Adams finished 4-for-8 on the day, with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored.
Eastern opened up a 5-1 lead in the first game, thanks to back-to-back home runs by Panther leadoff hitter Sarah Coppert and Adams in the third inning.
Coppert hit an opposite field shot to right field for her first home run of the season and Adams pulled her second home run of the season to left field.
Junior pitcher Maegan Golloway made sure Eastern held onto the first game, relieving starter Karyn Mackie in the fifth inning. Mackie allowed three runs in the inning, cutting Eastern’s lead to 5-4. But Golloway recorded the final two outs of the inning.
Golloway recorded her second save of the year.
Eastern (15-20) struck first in the second game, thanks again to Adams.
With two runners on, Adams took a pitch from IUPUI starter Angelica Espinosa and hit it over the left centerfield fence for her third home run of the season in the third inning.
After the Jaguars added two runs of their own in the third, the Panthers tacked on another run in the fourth inning.
The Jaguars (7-19) added four runs in the bottom of the fourth to increase their lead to 6-4. Catcher Keshia Loweth put IUPUI ahead 5-4 with a three-run home run to center field off Panther starter Kathleen Jacoby. Jacoby recorded the next two outs, but then gave up a solo home run to IUPUI first baseman Mandy Buckwalter.
The Panthers pulled within 6-5 in the next inning off when sophomore speedster Chelsy Iapala scored on a double steal.
Eastern had a chance to tie the game in the inning, but junior Robyn Mackie was thrown out at home after senior Sandyn Short singled up the middle.
The Panthers return to action Wednesday when they host Southeast Missouri in a doubleheader at Williams Field.
To see a complete box score of Monday’s doubleheader, click here.
