Eastern Illinois softball freshman utility player Abbi Hatton hit a two-run home run to lead Eastern to a 5-2 victory against Southern Indiana on Saturday at Williams Field.  

Hatton was able to capitalize while sophomore outfielder Karson Davey was on first base to put Eastern (20-17, 12-3) up 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning.  

“It felt awesome off the bat,” Hatton said. “I was kind of just watching it. I kind of didn’t really run, but it felt really good off the bat.” 

Eastern was able to hold on to the lead after sophomore pitcher McKenzie Oslanzi gave up two runs in the top of the fifth inning. 

The Panthers started fast as Davey was able to get the scoring started in the first inning, hitting a single to right field which drove in fifth year utility player Abbey Crain.  

“I was just doing anything to move the runners and just try to get a run in,” Davey said. 

Davey has had multiple hits in four of the last five games including this one. 

“I made some adjustments in my swing, and I’ve just really been working with the coaches and my teammates have really had my back,” Davey said. “So all the support all the time.” 

The scoring continued as sophomore infielder Alisha Frederick stole home off a wild pitch.  

After the first inning, Eastern did not look back as Frederick continued the scoring in the third inning. She started the home run party hitting a solo shot right before Hatton hit her home run. 

Although Eastern won the game, beforehand was all emotions. Eastern had its care game for sarcoma cancer today.  

Eastern recognized multiple people that are dealing with sarcoma, including senior shortstop Briana Gonzalez’s dad. However, Gonzalez could not be at the game today as she had to be with her dad.  

Frederick said Gonzalez not being there gave some extra motivation for the team. 

“I think just really showing up and we just had an extra motivation today to play for Bri and all those battling with cancer and everything,” Frederick said. “So we really were motivated to do our best today.” 

With Gonzalez not able to play today, freshman infielder Maddux Marshall had to step up in Gonzalez’s place. 

“Yeah, we had to move some pieces around in the field, but Maddux did a great job stepping up, and everyone did a great job having her back too,” Hatton said. 

Co-Head coach Dan Paulson said that it was an emotional day even for him.

“I’m a softie, so, you know, it was hard for me to get through that,” Paulson said. 

Paulson said the team took too many strikeouts today as they finished with nine strikeouts. However, he also said that he was proud of the team for going deep into counts. 

Paulson said with Eastern going so deep into counts, he was happy they got see a lot of pitches thrown so they can be ready for what’s to come in their next two games. 

Eastern plays a double header tomorrow against Southern Indiana to finish its weekend series. 

Frederick said that the team has to keep up the play for tomorrow. 

“I think just making sure we’re all on the same page and know that this game doesn’t define all of our games and just showing up tomorrow and doing the little things,” Frederick said. 

The first game of the double header starts at 12 p.m. on Sunday at Williams Field. 

Patrick Schmitz can be reached at 581-2812 or at pfschmitz@eiu.edu.