Austin Peay State University Softball loses close one to Eastern Illinois

Austin Peay Sports Information

Charleston, IL – Austin Peay State University’s softball team gave up a run in the first inning to Eastern Illinois, Sunday at Williams Field, and like the first two Ohio Valley Conference games in the series that proved to be all the Panthers would need with EIU shutting out the Lady Govs for a third straight game, this time in a 1-0 final.

The three straight shutouts suffered by the Govs (6-29, 2-15 OVC) in an OVC series is the first since Eastern Kentucky pulled off the feat in 2001 and it’s the fourth time this season that Austin Peay pitchers have limited an opponent to three hits or less in a contest, but still come away with a loss.

Senior Natalie Ayala (0-8) would throw a gem in defeat, limiting the Panthers (15-23, 9-6 OVC) to the one run on three hits, while striking out one and walking none, on just 55 pitches in her six innings of work.

But two of those hits came in the first inning, with Katie Watson reaching on a one-out single, steal second and then score on a double by Kylie Bennett.

EIU’s Jessica Wireman (11-16) would hold the Govs hitters to just four hits in the shutout, finishing with six strikeouts and no walks.

Austin Peay did have a chance to tie the game in the top of the seventh, with Kendall Vedder getting into scoring position at second base with a one-out double, but she wouldn’t advance any further with the next two Govs going down in order to end the game.

Along with Vedder’s double, Chandler Groves, Danielle Liermann and Courtney Brower collected hits for Austin Peay.

The next action for the Govs will be on Wednesday, as they step out of conference play for the final time this season for a doubleheader at Samford.