ETSU bounces back with 3-1 win in game two  

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (March 16, 2023) – Led by the strong pitching of right-hander Sara Muir (Sequatchie, Tenn.), the ETSU softball team defeated Eastern Illinois in game two of the doubleheader, 3-1, on Thursday afternoon at Betty Basler Field. In game one, Eastern Illinois plated three fifth-inning runs to rally for a 5-2 victory.

With the split, the Bucs moved to 6-18 overall, while the visiting Panthers ended the day with a 14-11 overall record. Friday’s rubber match will get underway at Noon.

ETSU (6-18)

Eastern Illinois (14-11)

NOTABLES

• In game one, Jessica Odom (Jefferson City, Tenn.) recorded her second multi-hit game of the year, finishing 2-for-3 on the day.
• Striking out a career-high eight batters, Muir earned her first career win with the complete game effort in the nightcap. Muir took a shutout into the seventh inning and allowed just the one run on five hits with zero walks.
• Recording one of the Bucs’ doubles in game two, Cameron Young (Knoxville, Tenn.) scored the eventual game-winning run on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning. Both Young and Muir each finished the game 1-for-3 with an RBI double.

GAME ONE RECAP

Despite taking a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning, the Bucs couldn’t hold on as Eastern Illinois scored three runs in the fifth and tacked one run on the board in the sixth to rally for a 5-2 win.

Riley Nayadley (Ooltewah, Tenn.) and Kasidy Dunn (Friendsville, Tenn.) each drove in a run with Dunn’s RBI double to center giving the Blue & Gold a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning. Brianna Bailey (Wewahitchka, Fla.) tossed a complete game where she allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts (four walks).

The Panthers opened the series by scoring the first run in the top of the first, taking the early 1-0 advantage. Bailey loaded the bases as she walked the leadoff hitter, while a Buccaneer error put runners on the corners with nobody out. After getting back-to-back outs, Bailey loaded the bases when she hit Briana Gonzalez, while a full-count walk to Morgan Lewis resulted in the first run coming across the plate. Limiting the damage, Bailey struck out the next batter to end the top half.

To tie up the game, the Blue and Gold used Nayadley’s 13th RBI of the year to score Dunn who stood on base after being hit by a pitch in the bottom of the third. A frame later, the Bucs took the lead with an RBI double by Dunn – her second of the year – making it a 2-1 score as Jasmine Sanchez (Buford, Ga.) crossed home plate after reaching second with her 14th hit of the campaign.

Unfortunately, ETSU couldn’t complete the comeback as the Panthers used the long ball to rally for the three-run victory. Rachel Kaufman belted a two-out, three-run home run over the center field fence in the top of the fifth, giving EIU the 4-2 lead. In the top of the sixth, Macey McElravy led off the inning with a homer, resulting in the 5-2 final score.

GAME TWO RECAP

After suffering a tough loss in the opener, the Bucs rode the arm of Sara Muir to help even the series thanks to capturing a 3-1 win in the nightcap.

Muir, who struck out a career-high eight hitters en route to securing her first career win, retired 12 straight Panther hitters following a shaky first inning.

The Bucs did their damage at the plate early as they plated two runs in the first and tacked on an insurance score in the third to go up 3-0.

In the bottom of the first, Kemiah Michel (Gallatin, Tenn.) reached based after being walked on five pitches. Young then drove her teammate home from first when she saw the first pitch and drove it to the gap in right-center for a double. Young, who went to third on the throw to plate, scored on a wild pitch, resulting in the two-run advantage for the Blue & Gold.

Owning the circle, Muir recorded four consecutive hitless frames while striking out a batter in each inning. Muir then helped her cause in the third inning, when her double to left-center brought home Michel – who reached via a one-out single earlier in the inning. Michel swiped her 10th bag of the year to get into scoring position and Muir came through with the timeout two-out hit.

Trying to claw their way in the game, Eastern Illinois made some noise in the top of the seventh inning with a trio of singles to score a run before Sanchez lasered a ball to third base to record end any hopes of a comeback for the Panthers.

PITCHERS OF RECORD

ETSU: Brianna Bailey (3-5) – loss. | Game two: Sara Muir (1-3) – win.

Eastern Illinois: Olivia Price (5-2) – win. | Game two: Tieghan Morio (2-2) – loss.

UP NEXT

The Blue and Gold will play the rubber match against Eastern Illinois tomorrow at Betty Basler Field, with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball tab.