The Eastern softball team had its weekend shortened after rain washed away two games against Belmont Sunday.

Eastern was able to play two games Saturday and win them both.

Eastern coach Angie Nicholson was able to get her 400^th career win as a coach as the Panthers run-ruled the Tigers in five innings 12-0.

Getting her 400^th career win was a big accomplishment for Nicholson.

“It felt amazing,” Nicholson said. “I am very grateful and thankful.

The Panthers got off to a quick start in the first game against the Tigers scoring four runs in the bottom of the first.

Senior Bailey O’Dell started the scoring by doubling and bringing in junior Jennette Isaac. O’Dell advanced to third on a throwing error.

Fellow senior Hannah Cole followed right behind O’Dell with a double of her own which drove in O’Dell.

Sophomores Hannah Rachor and Ashlynne Paul also drove in a run each in the first inning.

The rest of the Panthers’ scoring came in the third inning as the added on eight more runs.

Junior Kylie Bennett led the team with three runs batted in as she came off the bench as a pinch hitter and doubled to left center field.

Freshman Jessica Wireman was on the mound and allowed only one hit in five innings.

Freshman Michelle Rogers started game two for the Panthers, but Wireman replaced her in the second inning after giving up four runs.

Wireman was able to shut them down for the rest of the game only giving up one run.

The Panthers got down quick when Tennessee State senior Lindsey Burgess hit a 3-run homerun in the first inning.

Junior April Markowski got the scoring started in the third inning by hitting a home run to left field and driving in fellow junior Haylee Beck.

The Panthers’ home runs continued in the sixth inning when senior Hannah Cole hit a solo homerun over the center-field fence to make the score 5-3.

Kylie Bennett was walked right after Cole’s homerun, and Hannah Rachor singled to advance Bennett to second. Sophomore Amber Toenyes was also walked to load the bases.

Paul came in to pinch hit for Watson and she singled to left field to drive in freshman Taylor Miokovic who pinch ran for Bennett.

Markowski then came up with the bases loaded and singled to left and drove in two runs to take the lead 6-5 and eventually win the game.

Markowski said she came up to the plate telling herself that she could get the job done.

“I was like, just breathe, get the hit, you can do this,” Markowski said.

She said that it felt really good to be able to contribute to the team driving in four of the six runs.

Wireman got the win on the mound to improve her record to 9-10 and her earned run average to 3.68.

The Panthers Ohio Valley Conference record is now 11-8.

Sean Hastings can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected]