CHESTER, Pa. – While Eastern University Softball dropped both ends of a doubleheader at Widener University (8-10) the Eagles' offense started to show signs of life with several hard hit balls and a pair of late home runs in game two.

Melissa Irick went the distance in a 4-2 loss in the nightcap. The junior starter surrendered a couple unearned runs in the second inning and two earned runs on a homer and a double in the third before working back and shutting down the Pride the rest of the way.

The Eagles put two runners on in the first on a sharp single from Alyssa Bolger hit and an opposite field single from Shelby O'Neill, but Maddie Iswalt lined out to second to end the rally.

The Eagles found offensive life in the seventh. O'Neill turned on a 1-0 pitch and hit it over the fence to lead off the inning with her first collegiate home run. After a pair of ground outs, Sabrina Thomas worked a seven-pitch at bat on the heels of an eight-pitch at bat from Leah Lozzi. The freshman catcher hit a 3-2 pitch over the fence in center field for her first collegiate hit.

"We are showing signs" Head Coach Claire Emplit said after the games. "To see Shelby hit the ball hard several times is encouraging and what a great at bat by Beans [Thomas]. To have your first college hit go for a home run. That's pretty great, and Melissa [Irick] battled back to keep us in the game. We need to build on this."

With several regulars missing with class conflicts, the Eagles fell 8-0 in a run-shortened game in the opener. The Eagles put two runners on with one out in the fifth, but could not get the third hit of the inning to extend the game. Alexandria Strausser started the inning with a double, and Maddie Iswalt reached on a bunt single. Bolger, who already had two hits in the game, hit a hard line drive right at the shortstop that sent Iswalt scrambling back to second ahead of the throw.

The Eagles were again plagued by the long ball in game one as the Pride hit homers in the second and fourth innings to build the lead.

Eastern will play at Penn State Brandywine tomorrow and at Haverford on Thursday. As always, follow @EUEagles on Twitter of check the website for the most up-to-date schedule info.