EDWARDSVILLE, Pa.– Eastern University Softball came within a big hit of earning a split, but dropped both ends of its MAC Freedom opener at  Wilkes University. The Eagles dropped the opening game, 8-0, but left two runners in scoring position in the seventh inning of a 6-5 loss in the nightcap.

The game is the first for the Eagles in nearly two weeks and just the second doubleheader since returning from Florida in February. The rust showed in game one as Wilkes put up two big innings in an 8-0 win. Wilkes senior first baseman Christina Gambino did most of the damage with a grand slam in the fourth and a three-run shot in the sixth. The Eagles mustered only three hits in the opener.

The second game started with more promise as Emily Loomis hit a two-run homer in the top of the first, but the Colonels scored five times in the bottom of the inning to take the lead back. Gambino again, did damage with her third homer of the day.

The Eastern offense mustered a two-out run after a Jessica Hamdan double in the fourth, and the Eagles loaded the bases with one out in the seventh. Rebecca Howard hit a ground ball to third, but the Colonels threw home to get the second out of the inning. Taylor Crown scored on a wild pitch to pull the Eagles to within one, but Melissa Irick hit a ground ball that did not get through to end the game.

The Eagles (4-6, 0-2 MAC Freedom) are at DeSales on Thursday.