The Eastern softball team swept the Southeast Missouri Redhawks in an Ohio Valley Conference doubleheader at Cape Girardeau, Mo.

After taking two-of-three games from Murray State this past weekend, Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said that her team made some big strides as a group.

“Our team made big strides this weekend,” Schuette said. “They were a lot more excited to play. They showed each other that they were there for each other.”

This excitement carried over to Wednesday’s games, in which Eastern put together two full games of good pitching, strong hitting and well-played defense.

The Panthers first game of the day was an exciting affair that ended in a 3-2 victory in favor of Eastern.

Heading into the seventh inning, the game was tied at 2-2 with Eastern coming up to the plate. Senior centerfielder Hayley Pieper got things started off well for the Panthers with a single to left center. Pieper was then thrown out at third base after sophomore Ashleigh Westover grounded into a fielder’s choice. Westover would wind up at first base. Charleston native Kaylie Pruett would then ground out to the catcher giving Eastern its second out of the inning.

Stepping up next for the Panthers would be freshman shortstop Bailey O’Dell. O’Dell, who leads the team in average, RBIs, and hits, did not miss the opportunity to make her impact on the game felt. The California native singled to centerfield, which was good enough to drive Westover in for the game-winning run after a throwing error by the centerfielder.

Sophomore pitcher Hanna Mennenga was then able to work out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom half of the inning to preserve the win for the Panthers against Southeast Missouri.

Sophomore Stephanie Maday made the start on the mound for Eastern and went 5.1 innings, while allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits given up. Mennenga picked up the win in relief, pitching the final 1.2 innings of the game while only allowing one hits and striking out three Redhawks.

In the second game of the day, Eastern defeated Southeast Missouri with a final score of 5-3.

Eastern was leading the Redhawks by a score of 1-0 entering the sixth inning, but exploded for a four run frame to put the game out of reach.

The inning started off with a bang when sophomore first baseman Reynae Hutchinson bombed a solo shot to centerfield. This was her team leading fourth homerun of the season. Senior Hayley Pieper followed Hutchinson’s homerun up with a double to center field, which was followed by a Morgan Biel RBI double. Eastern would score two more runs that inning off an Westover single and a sacrifice fly by senior Ashley Anderton.

Southeast Missouri responded in the bottom half of the inning with three runs, but were unable to get over the five run deficit.

Mennenga made the start for Eastern and picked up her second win of the day. She went 5.1 innings on the mound, surrendering only five hits in the game, resulting in three runs given up (two earned). She now has a record of 8-4 this season.

Maday pitched the final 1.2 innings in relief for the Panthers and closed the door on the doubleheader sweep of conference rival Southeast Missouri.

The Panthers record improved to 17-15 overall and 7-6 in the OVC. Their next games will be this Friday when they take on conference foe Tennessee State in a doubleheader.

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