Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score

JACKSONVILLE – Eastern Illinois scored late in both games to sweep an Ohio Valley Conference softball twinbill from Jacksonville State by the scores of 3-1 and 6-4 on Saturday at University Field.

The Panthers (8-11, 2-0 OVC) scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings en route to the game one win. Denee' Menzione, who went 2-for-4 on the day, had an RBI single in the fifth and a solo home run in the seventh. EIU's run in the sixth came on a bunt single by Megan Nelson.

Jacksonville State (9-11, 0-2 OVC) had its chances loading the bases in the sixth and putting the tying runs on base in the seventh but was unable to take advantage.

Hillary Downs and Chrissy O'Neal each had two of the Gamecocks seven hits in game one. Downs provided the only run for JSU with a solo home run to center in the bottom of the seventh.

Amber May went the distance in the circle for the Panthers to improve to 4-7 on the season. May allowed one earned run and seven hits while striking out seven batters.

Ashley Eliasson had five strikeouts while suffering the loss to fall to 5-7. Eliasson gave up three runs, one earned, on five hits on the day.

In the night cap, the Panthers struck for six runs in the sixth inning to break the scoreless tie. Kiley Holtz delivered a two-RBI single and Hailee Hanna had an RBI single to highlight the inning.

JSU battled back with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Kaycee Crow drove in the first run with a single and a Cara Longworth sac fly plated the second run. Two more runs came home on Longworth's sac-fly when the EIU first baseman threw the ball into centerfield trying to throw out Crow at second, allowing the bases to clear.

Meredith Sellers was hit by a pitch to lead off the seventh only to see the next three hitters fly out to end the game.

Freshman Hillary Phillips gave up three runs on three hits with four strikeouts to take the loss and drop to 4-4.

Natalie Wunderlich earned the win for EIU to improve to 3-3. Wunderlich had two strikeouts and gave up four runs, three earned, on seven hits.

Jacksonville State and Eastern Illinois conclude the three-game series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. at University Field.