The Eastern Kentucky University softball team announced on Apr. 26 that it earned a 6-1 win against Bellarmine, clinching the series.
This result moves the Colonels to a record of 26-22-1 overall and 13-6-1 in ASUN play, advancing them into second place in the ASUN Gold Division ahead of North Alabama. The team has lost only one series this season, which occurred in early April.
Emily Mariscal led the offense by going three-for-three at bat with three runs batted in and a double. Victoria Byrum, now holding a season record of nine wins and eleven losses, allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five batters during her pitching performance.
The Colonels scored first when Reese Knox singled up the middle and later crossed home plate following a groundout. In the second inning, Jordan Smith reached scoring position after drawing a walk and moving forward on a wild pitch before Mariscal delivered an RBI double to extend EKU’s lead to two runs. Bellarmine responded with an RBI single but was unable to score again for the remainder of the game.
After several innings without runs from either side, EKU broke through in the sixth as singles from Kennedy Drafton and Mayla Mathis set up another hit from Mariscal that brought both runners home. Two additional insurance runs came in the seventh inning following hits by Skyler Billips and Knox along with fielding errors by Bellarmine.
Looking ahead, Eastern Kentucky will close its regular season with a series at Austin Peay. The Colonels previously defeated Austin Peay earlier this year and aim to finish strong as they seek to improve their standing.
