MOREHEAD, Ky. – The Eagles competed in a pair of tightly contested matchups against Youngstown State on Wednesday, but couldn't overcome sixth inning rallies in both ends of their doubleheader, falling in the first game 6-2 and the second 3-1.
Erin Boyle starred at the plate in the opener, going 2-for-3 with two RBI, including smacking her OVC leading fourth triple of the season.
Madeline Gailor chipped in with three hits over the two games, and
Trinity Spear added two hits of her own, both coming in the first game.
Jessie Begley continued to be the workhorse of the pitching staff, collecting another 10.2 innings in the circle, including tossing a complete game in the second matchup, and allowed only two walks and four earned runs on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 1)
The teams traded two scoreless innings to open the game before a leadoff walk from
Ilencia Lightbody gave the Eagles their first scoring chance, but she was stranded on third. Youngstown State then opened the scoring in the bottom half of the third inning to make it 1-0.
After
Emily Williams led off the fourth inning with a single,
Erin Boyle tied the game with a two out RBI triple off the wall.
The Penguins answered right back in the bottom of the inning to retake a 2-1 lead, and loaded the bases in the fifth with a chance to expand their lead, but
Madi Ogden came on in relief to escape the jam without any runs scored.
The Eagles rallied again with two outs in the sixth, starting with a double from
Kaytlyn Cripps and continuing with another two out RBI from
Erin Boyle to tie the game once again.
Youngstown State put together their own two out rally in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs in the frame, and then set the Eagles down in order in the seventh to secure the win.
HOW IT HAPPENED (GAME 2)
The Eagles were held without a hit through the first three innings, while Youngstown State broke through in the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.
Morehead State got their first hit from a leadoff single by
Madeline Gailor to open the fourth, but she was thrown out at second on a fielder's choice from the bat of
Peyton Jordan. A
Taylor Rhea single moved Jordan into scoring position and
Kirya Kingery brought her home with an RBI single to tie the game.
The pitcher's duel continued into the sixth, when leadoff singles from Gailor and Jordan got the Eagles started, but a double play derailed the rally and kept the game tied headed into the bottom half of the inning.
Jessie Begley nearly escaped a bases loaded, no out jam in the bottom of the sixth, but Youngstown State broke the tie with a two-run single and shut down the Eagles in the seventh for the win.
UP NEXT
The Eagles enter their OVC bye week and will return to University Field April 1-2 to host Lindenwood.
