TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Fresh off a successful weekend on the road, the Indiana State softball team returns to Price Field on Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference matchup against Eastern Illinois. First pitch between the Sycamores and the Panthers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. ET. 

Indiana State (17-16, 6-5 MVC) enters the midweek contest with momentum after clinching a hard-fought series victory at Valparaiso. The Sycamores displayed resilience in the finale, holding off a late seventh-inning rally to secure a 5-4 win. 

The Sycamores took two out of three games from Valparaiso this past weekend to claim the MVC series. In Sunday's rubber match, Emi Jeras provided a two-RBI single in the sixth inning, followed immediately by a two-run home run from Sophie Esposito to provide the eventual winning margin. Caylee Gaytan earned her second win of the weekend in the circle, while Lauren Sackett came on in the seventh to record her first save of the season. 

Eastern Illinois (20-16, 12-0 OVC) visits Terre Haute riding a 15-game winning streak. The Panthers arrive following a dominant weekend sweep of Western Illinois, capped by a 7-4 victory on Sunday. EIU's offense has been explosive during their streak, with hitters like Brooklyn Groppel, Marybeth Dyson, and Sophia Olman leading a high-scoring attack. In the circle, the Panthers' staff has been equally impressive, helping EIU maintain a perfect record in conference play and one of the longest active winning streaks in the nation. 

Sycamore Notes 

• Emi Jeras and Sophie Esposito combined for a four-run sixth inning in Sunday's series finale; Jeras delivered a two-RBI single to take the lead, followed immediately by Esposito's two-run home run to center field. 

• Caylee Gaytan improved her season record to 7-5 after earning two wins in the circle during the Valparaiso series, including a complete-game victory in Saturday's nightcap. 

• Lauren Sackett recorded her first save of the 2026 season on Sunday, entering in the seventh inning to preserve the one-run lead and clinch the series victory. 

• Morgan Goodrich reached base twice and scored two runs in the series; she currently leads the team in runs scored and successful stolen bases (21). 

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