Softball Splits Day One of USF Tournament

CLEARWATER, Fla. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University softball team split its first day of games at the USF Tournament. The Eagles (5-7) walked-off, 12-11, over Seton Hall University (8-3) in game one before being shutout for the first time this season by Georgia State University (6-7), 11-0.

Offensively, the Eagles were led by junior Michelle Kriegshauser (New Lenox, Ill.-Lincoln Way Central) who went 3-for-6 on the day with two RBIs and two runs scored. In addition to Kriegshauser's production at the plate, three other players registered multiple RBIs and multiple hits on the day.

In the circle, sophomore Trisha Trujillo (Whittier, Calif.-California) was tabbed as the pitcher of record in both games, coming away with a 1-1 record. Her mark on the season now stands at 2-1.

Game #1: Eastern Michigan 12, Seton Hall 11
The Eagles wasted little time getting to work in their first game of the weekend, jumping on the Pirates in the top of the first. Stepping to the plate with two on, freshman Amanda Akles (La Habra, Calif.-La Habra) doubled to the fence to score two. The freshman third baseman scored moments later as senior Abi Clark (Clinton, Mich.-Clinton(Alma)) sent a ball deep to center, allowing the La Habra, Calif. product to tag from third.

The score stood 3-0 in favor of the Green and White until the top of the third when the Pirates pushed to across the plate.

Bringing the top of its order to the plate in the fourth, Eastern's offense erupted for seven runs. A two-run triple by Kriegshauser pushed EMU's cushion back to three before Akles drove her in from third. Following a RBI-double of the bat of Clark, Seton Hall elected to make a pitching change. With a new pitcher in the circle, sophomore Haley Hostetler (New Haven, Ind.-Woodlan) executed the squeeze to score Clark. Junior Taylor Wagner (Marshalltown, Iowa-Marshalltown) capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to center to push EMU's lead to eight, 10-2.

The Pirates added two runs in the fifth to keep the game alive before tying the game in the sixth and taking an 11-10 lead in the seventh.

Trailing by one, the Eagles refused to fall in a game they had begun so strongly. Clark exited the game after drawing a leadoff walk, allowing senior Myranda Barnes (Ypsilanti, Mich.-Northgate) to enter as a pinch runner. After moving to second on a sacrifice bunt, Barnes came around to score on a triple by Hostetler to tie the game at 11. With the score level, Head Coach Melissa Gentile sent senior Aoife Duffy (Powell, Ohio-Olentangy Liberty) to the plate to pinch hit. Taking full advantage of the opportunity as she has all season, Duffy laced a single to left to bring in Hostetler from third, giving EMU a 12-11 walk-off win.

Game #2: Georgia State 11, Eastern Michigan 0
Errors and silent bats plagued the Eagles in game two as the Panthers pounced early and often. Georgia State plated two runs in the opening frame before adding five in the second, three in the fourth, and one in the fifth to take the game, 11-0.

Eastern committed a season-high four errors in the loss while also being held to a season-low one hit over the five innings.

Trujillo was credited with the loss while Kriegshauser recorded the Eagles lone hit.

The Green and White return to the diamond tomorrow, Feb. 27, for two games. The first is set to pit the Eagles against Villanova while EMU's second opponent has yet to be determined. First pitch against VU is slated for 2 p.m.

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Team Stats

Michelle Kriegshauser

Amanda Akles

Abi Clark

Haley Hostetler

Players Mentioned

Amanda Akles

Myranda Barnes

Abi Clark

Aoife Duffy

Haley Hostetler

Michelle Kriegshauser

Trisha Trujillo

Taylor Wagner

Players Mentioned

Amanda Akles

Myranda Barnes

Abi Clark

Aoife Duffy

Haley Hostetler

Michelle Kriegshauser

Trisha Trujillo

Taylor Wagner

Eastern Michigan Athletics