MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Eastern Softball lost two tough games to West Virginia State University by scores of 1-0 and 6-3 on Wednesday. The Yellow Jackets used timely hitting and dominant pitching to slide by the Eagles and claim the wins.

"Two really competitive but tough games for us today," said Head Coach Claire Emplit. "We did some really good things in both games just couldn't come through in the end."  

In the first game Eastern (2-2) was led by Haleigh Williams, who turned in a dominant pitching performance. Williams threw a complete game allowing just one run on five hits while striking out four and walking only one.

West Virginia State's pitcher Allyson Burgess was equally dominant. Burgess also threw a complete game allowed four hits while striking out six and only walking one. The Eagles managed only four baserunners all game, two of which were in the bottom of the seventh.

The Yellow Jackets tallied the lone run of the game in the sixth inning after their first three batters reached base to load the bases. Allyson Funk grounded out to Williams, but Brittany Allison scored from third to give West Virginia State the 1-0 lead and eventual win.

In the bottom of the seventh Taylor Crown and Kelsey Clever both singled giving Eastern a chance to tie if not win. However, with both runners on second and third a groundout to third ended the game.

"I thought Haleigh was outstanding again for us today," continued Emplit. "She gave a real chance to pull out the win, but we just couldn't get anything going offensively until late in the game. Give their pitcher credit she pitched a great game as well."

In game two the Yellow Jackets jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and held off the Eagles twice throughout the game. A leadoff double followed by a fielder's choice advanced the runner to third with one out. A single by Nichole Brown drove in the first run and a fielder's choice a few batters led to the second run crossing the plate.

Eastern came back to tie the game in the top of the fourth inning, though. After three singles by Olivia Heffinger, Crown, and Alyssa Welsh Eastern had loaded the bases with one out. Haleigh Williams then drove in both Crown and Heffinger to tie the game at 2-2. West Virginia State took the lead right back in the bottom of the fourth extending its lead to 4-2.

In the sixth inning, Welsh drove in Maria day, who led off the inning with a single and then stole second, to cut the deficit to 4-3. The Yellow Jackets responded in the bottom half of the inning plating two runs to stretch their lead to 6-3 and held on to secure the victory.

"We couldn't overcome the slow start," said Emplit. "We battled back twice but just couldn't maintain anything offensively to either pull ahead or tie the game. Tough loss but we just have to learn from it and move forward."

Eastern takes on the University of Mary Washington and West Virginia State University on March 3rd at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.