Skyhawks Drop Doubleheader to Eastern Illinois

Saturday, March 22

Martin, Tenn.

12 p.m.

UT Martin

11-16, 0

Eastern Illinois

14-14, 0

Eastern Ill.

UT Martin

Skyhawks Drop Doubleheader to Eastern Illinois

3/22/2025 8:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 GAME 1 BOX SCORE (PDF)GAME 2 BOX SCORE (PDF)Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team lost both games of a doubleheader to Eastern Illinois Saturday at Bettye Giles Field in Martin, falling to the Panthers 6-2 in game one and 4-3 in game two.

In the opener, UT Martin's lone runs of the game came in the form of solo home runs from Alli Robinson and Avary Makarewicz. Robinson hit hers to right field in the third, while Makarewicz homered to the same spot an inning later, it was the fourth home run of the year for both Skyhawks.

In all, UT Martin tallied six hits in the game but left an equal number on base. The Skyhawk runners were largely kept at bay by the Panther defense in the opener, advancing in just three of 12 opportunities.

Kennedy Brown was the only UT Martin player to record multiple hits in the game, as she finished the contest at 2-for-4.

In game two, Alisha Frederick gave Eastern Illinois an early lead when she homered for the second time Saturday to give her team a 3-0 advantage. The Panthers tacked on what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Morgan Hance to make it 4-0.

UT Martin answered in the bottom of the sixth when Kyla Harley scored on a groundout from Dylan Scott after she led off the inning with a single and stole both second and third base. The Skyhawks then proceeded to load the bases with two outs on a double by Robinson, a single from Ava Scott and a walk by Makarewicz. During the next at-bat, Makarewicz appeared to be caught in a rundown, but a throwing error by Eastern Illinois allowed Ava Scott and Robinson's pinch runner, Josie Sanders, to score, cutting the Panthers' lead to 4-3.

Jordyn Hustey took to the circle in the top of the seventh and despite a leadoff single, she retired the side to give her team a chance to tie or win the game in the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Karlie McKenzie struck out the side for Eastern Illinois, while also allowing a walk, to seal the game and series win for the Panthers.

Harley led the UT Martin offense in the game by going 2-for-4 with two stolen bases.

The Skyhawks return to non-conference action Wednesday when they travel to former OVC rival Murray State for a doubleheader, beginning at 2 p.m.