Eastern Illinois University announced on May 8 that its softball team advanced to the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game after defeating SIUE 8-0 at Louisville Slugger Complex in Peoria, Illinois.
The victory means Eastern Illinois improved its overall record to 35-20, while SIUE dropped to 29-28. The result puts Eastern Illinois into Saturday’s championship matchup scheduled for 11 a.m.
Abbi Hatton played a key role in the win, starting the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and later hitting a three-run home run to center field. Hatton finished the day going two-for-three with four runs batted in. Alisha Frederick and Sophia Olman contributed back-to-back RBI singles during the third inning before Hatton’s home run extended Eastern Illinois’ lead.
Pitchers Karlie McKenzie and Bryanna French combined efforts for a shutout, allowing only five hits from SIUE. McKenzie pitched four and one-third innings before French closed out the final two and two-thirds innings of play. For SIUE, Kaylin Fahy was noted as their only player with two hits, while Avery Arwood took the loss as pitcher.
Viola Smith added insurance runs for Eastern Illinois in the seventh inning by hitting her second home run of the tournament. Frederick, Olman, and Lizzie Stiverson each recorded two hits for Eastern Illinois during Friday’s contest.
With this win, Eastern Illinois will compete for an Ohio Valley Conference title on Saturday.
