Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports

Senior Karyn Mackie hits the ball in the last inning of a game against Southeast Missouri on Wednesday afternoon. The Panthers beat SEMO 4-3. (Karolina Strack|The Daily Eastern News)

Eastern sophomore shortstop Megan Nelson had pinkeye, but she didn't let it affect her vision.

Nelson went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, including the game-winning double in the bottom of the fifth inning to give Eastern the 4-3 win against Southeast Missouri on Wednesday at Williams Field.

Nelson said she got noticed the pinkeye on Sunday night when the team got back from Jacksonville, Ala.

Nelson said eye drops have helped clear up her vision, but said the pinkeye hasn't affected her from seeing the ball.

After Nelson struck out in the first inning, she got a hit in her next three at bats.

"I had a lack of focus at that first at-bat," Nelson said. "I was just looking for one pitch. (SEMO senior pitcher Elaine Fisher) just kept giving it to me. It was right there. I really don't think she had her best stuff."

Nelson's double to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning to score senior designated player Karyn Mackie gave Eastern the Ohio Valley Conference win and keeps them in the running for a spot in the OVC Tournament. Only the top six teams qualify for the tournament, and Eastern (17-21, 9-6 OVC) is in fourth place, while SEMO (23-22, 10-11) stayed in fifth place.

"Every win is key," Nelson said. "It feels good to play our game and kind of show them how we can play this year."

Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said Eastern was more disciplined at the plate than the last time the Panthers played the Redhawks. SEMO beat Eastern in a doubleheader on March 25 in Cape Girardeau, Mo., 7-6, 7-2.

Eastern junior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby gave up a three-run homer to SEMO senior shortstop Megan McDonald in the first inning.

Eastern has won six OVC games by one run this season. Nelson brought the Panthers back early in the game with a single up the middle to bring the Panthers within one run, 3-2.

After the first inning, she settled down. Jacoby (7-8) only gave up two more hits the rest of the game.

"She was still mad for a while, and we talked about it in the dugout and, 'We're like what's done is done," Schuette said. "She did a good job of forgetting that, and the offense did a real good job of picking her up early."

Eastern will play Morehead State in a key Ohio Valley Conference series this weekend. The first game begins with a doubleheader at noon on Saturday in Morehead, Ky.



Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.

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