The Eastern softball team split a pair of games with the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougars in the Panthers’ home opener Wednesday at Williams Field.

Game one turned out to be an extra-inning thriller, ending in nine innings with the Cougars coming out victorious, 4-0.

Sophomore pitcher Stephanie Maday took the mound in game one and pitched all nine innings for the Panthers.

Maday, who was just named the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week, entered the game with a 7-5 record and a 2.45 ERA.

Pitching against Maday for the Cougars would be Amanda Lambrecht, who entered the day with an 8-6 record. Lambrecht also went the full nine innings in a classic pitchers duel.

Going into the seventh inning, the game was all squared up at 0-0. Maday had only allowed two hits at this point and was dominating on the mound.

Eastern had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, but were unable to prevail. Senior outfielder Maria Sorrentino led off the inning for Eastern with a pinch-hit bunt single. She then moved over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by senior Amanda Bilina. Third baseman Ashleigh Westover stepped up to the plate and grounded out, which resulted in Sorrentino being gunned down at third. Freshman Bailey O’Dell came to the plate with two outs, and smashed a double to deep left. Westover tried to score from home but was thrown out to end the inning. That would be the closest Eastern came to victory in the game.

The game continued on into the ninth inning, when the Cougars finally broke the 0-0 tie with a four run frame. Eastern was unable to recover and ended up losing 4-0.

Maday pitched brilliantly but ended up with the loss. She went nine innings while only allowing six hits and four runs (two earned). She also struck out six batters.

Lambrecht pitched nine innings while only allowing six hits in route to the complete game shutout.

Game two would also prove to be a well-played game. Sophomore pitcher Hanna Mennenga picked up where she left off over the break and led the Panthers to a victory.

For the game, she threw a seven inning complete game gem, giving up seven hits and striking out five. She only allowed one run to cross the plate.

O’Dell and junior catcher Abby Wood paced the Panthers at the plate. O’Dell was two-for-four with an RBI double. Wood went two-for-three with an RBI to go along with an outstanding defensive performance.

Eastern now has an overall record of 11-11, and an OVC record of 3-4. The final game of its series against Southern Illinios-Edwardsville will be played in Edwardsville on March 29.

The Panthers will be in action again today as they play a doubleheader against Missouri State at 4 p.m. at Williams Field.

Erik Jensen can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].