Eastern Illinois University’s softball team secured a 7-6 walk-off victory against Tennessee Tech on April 19, completing a weekend series sweep at Williams Field.
The game was decided in the bottom of the seventh inning when Alisha Frederick hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, allowing Emily Konkel to score the winning run. The Panthers had entered the final inning with a three-run lead, but Tennessee Tech tied the game after Ella Bishop hit her first home run of the season—a three-run shot with two outs.
In Eastern Illinois’ half of the seventh, Peyton Dwigans singled and was replaced by pinch runner Konkel. Chloe Wamboldt reached base on an infield single, and Lizzie Stiverson loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch. Frederick then delivered her decisive fly ball to left center field.
Earlier in the game, Eastern Illinois built a five-run lead in the third inning with key hits from Mo Hance and Viola Smith. Tennessee Tech responded in the fifth with four consecutive two-out hits that produced three runs. The Panthers added another run later that inning as Dwigans scored on a wild pitch.
Karlie McKenzie earned her second win of the weekend for Eastern Illinois, improving her record to 7-8 as EIU moved to 26-20 overall and 17-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play. Faith Rush took the loss for Tennessee Tech (15-27 overall; 11-10 OVC), which used four pitchers during Sunday’s contest.
