The Lady Bucs lost two tough softball games to the Colonels of Eastern Kentucky on Thursday afternoon at Metro-Kiwanis Park.
ETSU came into the contest 7-16 while EKU was 10-10. The Bucs were coming off of a 4-3 loss to UNC Wilmington and looking to get a couple of big wins against this non-conference opponent.
The Lady Bucs and the Colonels both got off to a lackluster start in the first inning; each saw three go up and down for their respective teams.
The Bucs started Briana Knight, Stephanie Gaynord, Jessie Hackworth, Jessica Longsinger, Mary Catherine Vercoe in the infield and Courtney Jenkins as pitcher. Stephanie Cope, Caitlin Zyskowski and Kate Powell rounded out the outfield.
It was their defense that kept the game even for the Bucs into the third inning, despite their poor offense. The Lady Bucs simply struggled with batting, something they failed to improve on as the game progressed.
However, the Colonels started swinging in the third, getting three hits and four runs. It was at this point when ETSU subbed in Brittney Lehrschall to pitch for Courtney Jenkins. The Bucs weren’t able to match EKU in terms of offense, ending the inning down by five, at 5-0.
The rest of the first game was much of the same for the Lady Bucs. They never got their bats going, but continued to play consistent defense. They only allowed one run for the remainder of the game. When it was all over ETSU had lost a tough one 6-0.
In the second game of the doubleheader the Bucs improved offensively, getting six hits, compared to only two in the first game.
But, as their offense improved, their defense began to stall. The Lady Bucs allowed seven hits and made three errors. The Colonels also played loser, making three errors of their own. Ultimately the lack of offense for the Bucs was the deciding factor in them losing 9-3.
The two losses pushes ETSU’s record to 7-17. Their next home game will be on the March 21, at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. against Western Carolina.

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