Senior right-hander LeannaPittsenbarger fired a complete-game shutout, and fifth-seeded Eastern Kentucky posted to a 2-0 win over eighth-seeded Morehead State in the second round of the Ohio Valley Conference Softball Tournament on Thursday night at Cougar Field.
The Colonels, who end a four-game skid, improve to 24-27 overall and 9-11 in neutral-site tilts. The Eagles, who had won nine of their previous 14 contests, finish the season 22-24 overall and 5-7 at neutral sites. EKU advances to face Jacksonville State on Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m. ET.
Pittsenbarger scattered four hits and allowed three walks while striking out 11. She improved to 11-13 this season and 68-49 in her career. The hurler now owns 26 shutouts and 64 complete games in 154 Division I appearances, including five blankings and 10 complete-game efforts this year.
Eastern Kentucky manufactured an unearned run in the first inning on a walk, passed ball, stolen base and single. Freshman catcher Paige Murphy provided the base knock to score sophomore shortstop Krislyn Campos. EKU added an insurance run in the fourth on a pair of singles.
Sophomore center fielder Kayla McGuffey paced MSU with a 3-for-4 performance, but the rest of the Eagles went a combined 1-for-20. Senior right-hander Tanna Seuferer, who allowed just one earned run, three walks and five hits while fanning three in seven innings, fell to 10-9 with the loss.
Morehead State still improved by seven wins from last season (15-36-1).
Third-seeded Murray State and fourth-seeded Tennessee Tech advanced in the winner's bracket on Thursday. The host, top-seeded SIU Edwardsville, suffered a setback and will now have to win five consecutive games to repeat as champions. The Cougars advanced to an NCAA Regional in 2014.
