University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
Eastern Illinois
Softball Team Knocks Off Eastern Illinois, 6-2
3/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 6, 2010
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Southern Miss scored four runs in the top of the seventh to break a 2-2 tie in defeating Eastern Illinois, 6-2.
Gabby Luciani (4-1) pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and giving up two runs to earn the win. EIU Amber May (3-3) who worked 4.0 innings got the loss giving up five hits and four runs.
The Golden Eagles scored two run when Stephanie Shiflet reached base on a bunt single and moved to second on a throwing error. Megan Hill singled through the right side with Shiflet advancing to third. Hill then stole second before Jill Mathis hit one of her two doubles to score Shiflet and Hill.
EIU scored a run in the bottom of the third when Kiley Holtz and Danee' Menizone recorded back-to-back singles and moved to third and second on a sacrifice bunt. Ashley Anderton then drew a walk to load the bases and Andi Morgan, who pinch ran for Holtz, scored when Melise Brown walked.
Eastern Illinois tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth as Hallee Hanna drew a walk and moved to third on Brown's double down the left field line. Hanna scored on an Ally Seplak fielder's choice.
EIU loaded the bases again in the fifth after Luciani retired the first two batters, the Panthers recorded two hits and a walk before getting Brown to line out to first base.
The Golden Eagles started the seventh with a leadoff double by Danielle LaPointe. Chanell Thurman reached on a fielder's choice and Lauren Castellvi singled up the middle to move Thurman to second. Perry came on to pinch run for Thurman and Britney Dinelt had a pinch hit single to right to score Perry from second. Hill gave the Eagles a little more breathing room as she delivered a three-run home run dinger to left. Luciani then retired EIU in order.
Southern Miss returns to the field later today to face No. 19 Louisiana-Lafayette at approximately 3:30 p.m.
