ST. Davids, Pa. - Eastern Softball battles to a series split with visiting Immaculata University on Monday afternoon falling 3-2 in game one but winning game five by the final of 8-5. Haleigh Williams and Morgan Burke each turned in great performances on the mound.

In between games Eastern and Immaculata took part in recognizing the organization Cuddle My Kids. This organization is committed to helping families with cancer by providing in-home, no cost support, compassion, and fun. The players met in center field and released balloons into the sky as part of the ceremony. To learn more about this outstanding organization and the work they do visit their website www.cuddlemykids.org.      

Haleigh Williams allowed a three-run home run in the top of the first inning but settled down after that. She allowed three hits in the first inning but allowed only four over the next six innings and let only four players reach base after the first innings. Overall Haleigh Williams went seven innings allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out two.

"Haleigh came out with another solid performance for us going the full seven innings," said Head Coach Claire Emplit. "She held tight after the first inning when the runs were scored. For the remaining six innings, she was solid and had great defense behind her."

The Eagles (12-24) chipped away at the three run lead scoring in back-to-back innings. In the bottom of the third Alyssa Bolger plated Erin Johnson to pull Eastern within two. Johnson has reached base safely earlier in the inning on a single. In the fourth inning, the Eagles pulled within one, 3-2, when Burke singled to left and scoring Alyssa Welsh.

The Mighty Macs (11-19) would hold on and take game one.

After two scoreless first innings, Immaculata took a 2-0 lead with a two-run top of the third inning. Eastern came right back and responded in the bottom half the inning plating six runs to take a 6-2 lead.

After Leah Lozzi led off the inning with a single Burke helped out her own cause hitting a triple to plate Lozzi and get Eastern on the scoreboard. A double by Taylor the very next at-bat scored Burke to tie the game at 2-2. An RBI single by Kasey Williams gave the Eagles the lead for good at 3-2. Kelsey Clever capped off the inning with a two-run home run to center field stretching the lead to 6-2.

"Kelsey is a solid player both offensively and defensively," continued Emplit. "She is a great hitter and has a strong bat. She knows what pitch she is looking for, and we rely on her offensively."

The Eagles would add two more runs in the fourth inning to stretch their lead to 8-2.

Burke allowed only three runs after the third inning including a two-run home run in the top of the seventh that trimmed the Eastern lead to just three, 8-5. For the game, she went seven innings allowing nine hits and five runs while striking out two to earn her fourth win of the season.

"Morgan really stepped up in the second game for us," stated Emplit. "She was hitting her spots, and I was really impressed with how she pitched around a lot of their hitters. She and Maria had a cohesiveness today calling the pitches and being able to hit it."

Clever finished the game going 1-3 scoring a run with two RBI's while Burke finished the game going 2-3 with an RBI and scoring two runs.

"I am looking for our girls to remain confident," concluded Emplit. "Offensively I want us to keep the offense going and keep the bats alive. Defensively I know we are a good team, and we can defend against any hit. They key will be to string the hits together and get across the plate offensively."  

Eastern travels to Manhattanville on April 30th for the season finale.