A grand slam by junior third baseman Kiley Holtz, and a one-hit shutout from junior ace Amber May, helped the Eastern softball squad earn a weekend split with visiting Austin Peay.

Eastern blanked the Lady Govs, 7-0, in the first game, but dropped a 5-3 eight inning nightcap, which took nearly two days to complete.

Game two on Saturday was suspended in the top of the eighth, and was completed on Sunday afternoon after a couple of lengthy rain derails. Following the completion of that game, the Sunday rubber game of the weekend series was called due to some more rainy weather.

With the split, Eastern now stands at 21-23 and 11-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, while the visiting Austin Peay squad improved to 15-31 and 7-12.

The final four outs of game two came rather quickly as May’s first pitch to the Austin Peay batter resulted in a quick strikeout.

Unfortunately, the Panthers were unable to extend the game as they were retired in order in the eight-inning loss.

The first game got off to an earlier start time due to the forthcoming inclement weather in the area as Holtz went 2-for-3, in addition to her grand slam, which was the first of the season by a Panther, she also added a two-run single to finish with a six RBI performance at the plate.

Eastern jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first as senior right fielder Denee’ Menzione’s double to left center brought home freshman left fielder Melise Brown from second base.

That’s when Holtz connected for her two-run hit, bringing home Menzione and fellow senior Megan Nelson.

The Panthers had a chance to add some more runs, but the Austin Peay pitcher got out of the inning via a strikeout to strand two Eastern runners.

Then in the second frame, consecutive singles by freshmen second baseman Ally Seplak and Brown was followed by an Austin Peay miscue that helped Nelson get on base.

That’s when Holtz let it fly with a huge bomb to left center field to up the Eastern lead to 7-0.

That was all the offense Eastern needed as the Lady Gov pitching staff pretty much shut down the Panthers the rest of the way

May pitched an outstanding first game, as she allowed just one hit, which ironically was Austin Peay’s first batter, who connected on May’s very first pitch to earn the lone single by the Lady Govs.

May struck out two and had zero walks as Austin Peay was unable to plate another runner the rest of the way.

The second game was a wild one, as Eastern took the lead in the bottom of the third as Menzione got to first off an Austin Peay error, which would bring home Morgan from third.

The Lady Govs would tie it at the top of the fifth as Eastern committed their own error to bring home a Lady Gov win.

The Panthers countered in their half of the fifth as Holtz added another RBI single, plating Nelson.

However, a solo homer by Austin Peay would tie it once again at 2-0 in the sixth.

But Eastern would retake the lead as Wood took advantage of a wild pitch to scamper home from third.

However, the visitors would tie it yet again in their half of the seventh off a key one-run double to deep center field.

In extra innings, the Lady Govs scratched past the Panthers via a two-run homer before the game was suspended on Saturday evening. May would be tabbed with the second game loss and is now 14-13 on the year.

She had five strikeouts and just one walk on the weekend, allowing just four earned runs and scattering eight hits.

Sophmore catcher Hailee Hanna catches the ball from freshman pitcher Natalie Wunderlich during game two on Saturday afternoon against Austin Peay. The game was suspended in the top of the eighth and completed Sunday afternoon after rain delays for a final

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