Eastern’s softball team has moved up to No. 66 in the RPI rankings this season, as the Panthers have posted a 32-8 record this season.

Only 20 teams in the top 100 have more wins than Eastern. The Panthers are also the highest ranked Ohio Valley Conference team, with Jacksonville State close behind at No. 72.

In the OVC standings, Eastern is still the No. 1 team with a conference record of 19-2.

Following the Panthers are Jacksonville State, sitting at 17-3, then Southern Illinois- Edwardsville rounds out the top three at 14-7. Jacksonville State and Southern Illinois- Edwardsville hold overall records of 32-11 and 22-22, respectively.

After the victory over the Panthers, Southeast Missouri stands as the No. 5 team in the OVC with a conference record of 14-10 and an overall record of 20-24.

The Panthers will face Austin Peay on the road for a three game series this Friday and Saturday. Austin Peay is currently the second to last team in the OVC, sitting in tenth place with a conference record of 5-16 and an overall record of 10-31.

Around the OVC

Jacksonville State took down OVC rival Tennessee Tech on Wednesday by a score of 8-3. Designated hitter Whitney Cummings hit one home run in the game for Tennessee Tech Cummings had two RBI’s in the game. For Jacksonville State, third-baseman Amanda Crow and designated hitter Kristin Graham each hit a home run in the game.

In non-conference play, UT-Martin blanked Belmont 11-0 on Tuesday. The team racked up 23 hits in the doubleheader sweep. Freshman Amanda Brandenberg pitched a complete game shutout. UT-Martin will host Jacksonville State in a three game series at home this weekend.

Kiley Holtz, a senior third baseman, sets up to throw for the out at first base Sunday in the second game of a doubleheader against UT Martin at Williams Field. (Kimberly Foster

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