Late rallies ultimately doomed the Morehead State softball team as they dropped a pair of games to Dayton on Wednesday afternoon at UD Softball Field.
The Flyers used a six-run sixth inning in games ones 8-1 decision and a five-run fifth inning in a 6-5 come-from-behind effort in game two.
Notably at the plate, freshman Peyton Slater went 4-for-6 with a double and a run scored while Sophomore Alexis Strother hit her fourth home run of 2019.
Senior Cheyenne Meyer drove in two runs with a pinch hit single in game two. Freshman Peyton Rose also was credited for an RBI in game two as she singled home Aubrey Bennett in second game.
In the circle, freshman left-handed pitcher Lakyn Largent was hung with both losses. The Paducah, Ky., product tied a season-high innings pitched in game one with five frames tossed in a start. Largent allowed gave up just three hits and two runs before Dayton's late rally in the sixth ended her day. Junior Randi Hamilton started game two and allowed nine hits and four runs before Largent re-entered to toss the final two frames.
"The team made improvements from the first game to the second game in all aspects," said Eagles' first year head coach Samantha Jones. "They did a good job of bringing all three aspects (pitching, hitting, fielding) together for five innings in the second game but in the end, we have to get a pull seven to compete more consistently. We're excited to get back to work these next two days off and focus on Belmont Saturday."
Morehead State dropped to 2-25 overall while Dayton's record improved to 17-16.
The Eagles return to Ohio Valley Conference play on Saturday with a home doubleheader against Belmont. Morehead State is 0-6 in league play. Belmont comes to University Field with an 20-15 record and a 2-6 tally in the OVC.
Game one's first pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
