The losing streak has hit nine for the Eastern softball team, as the Panthers were swept at home by Austin Peay over the weekend.

Luckily for the Panthers, two of the three teams below them in the standings were also swept, allowing Eastern to remain in seventh in the OVC with a 6-14 conference record. Eighth-place SIUE lost two of three games over the weekend, putting them at 6-14 as well. 

The Panthers and Cougars will face off in a midweek doubleheader on Wednesday as both teams will be looking to pull further ahead in the standings. 

It would be an opportune time for the Panthers to snap their losing streak, and head coach Tara Archibald said she saw some promising signs following the doubleheader against Austin Peay.

“I was proud of our team today because in both games we were absolutely right there both games,” she said. 

The Panthers allowed just nine runs to the Governors in the series, but were only able to score five. They have scored three or fewer runs in nine of their last 10 games. 

“When you get in a spell like this, you kind of have to fight your way out of it, maybe get a break or two to give you a little bit of confidence to push through,” she said. “It’s just getting the confidence to get that clutch hit or make that clutch pitch in the moment. A break here and there and we’re right back.”

In the Austin Peay series, outfielder Morgan Lewis returned to the starting lineup for the first time March 13. She got three pinch-hit at bats in the Panthers’ series against Tennessee-Martin on April 15 and 16 before starting all three games in right field against the Governors. 

Lewis hit 6-for-13 in the series with two runs, two RBI and a stolen base. 

The Panthers had just two extra-base hits against Austin Peay, doubles from Megan Burton and Lindy Milkowski both coming in game two of Saturday’s doubleheader. 

Eastern has a chance to break out offensively against SIUE Wednesday, as the Cougars’ team ERA of 4.73 ranks ninth in the OVC. 

The games Wednesday are scheduled to start and 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Adam Tumino can be reached at 581-2812 or ajtumino@eiu.edu