East Prairie competes at Swing Pink Tournament after big win over Twin Rivers

EAST PRAIRIE, Mo. — It was a weekend of highs and lows for East Prairie softball, featuring a hard-fought district win followed by a mixed showing at the Dexter Swing Pink Tournament.

The Lady Eagles (8-11-1) kicked things off Friday with a thrilling 2-1 victory over the Twin Rivers Lady Royals (9-5) where strong defense and a clutch go-ahead double by Alison Miller propelled the team to victory.

"We looked more confident today, cleaned it up, and played to our ability," said East Prairie coach Jade Marcum. "We always play better at home, and the new uniforms definitely helped – look good, feel good, play good! They gave an all-out effort, and that's what I ask for."

Addi Aters (3) fields a hit during East Prairie's 2-1 win over Twin Rivers at H.A. Jones Memorial Park on Friday, April 19, 2024.Dennis Marshall ~ Standard-Democrat

Twin Rivers struck first, with Alexis Parson doubling to score Reese Crismon in the first inning. But East Prairie answered back in the fourth, as Alison Miller's double brought home Sophia Jordan for the go-ahead run.

"We have her at the top of the lineup for a reason," Marcum said. "She finds a way to put the ball in play and find the gaps. We needed that from her, and she delivered."

Addisyn Aters started on the mound for East Prairie, pitching 1.2 innings. Riley Wilson got the win, pitching the final 5.1 innings and allowing no earned runs.

The Swing Pink Tournament in Dexter proved more challenging. Bernie (14-9-1) shut out East Prairie 8-0, with Blair Pleimling's pitching and Alexa Dillinger's power hitting (3-for-3, home run, four RBIs) proving too much to overcome.

Harper Marshall recorded two of the team's three hits.

The Lady Eagles rebounded with a 10-6 win over Van Buren (8-10).

The offense exploded, with Aters (2-for-3, two doubles), Miller (2-for-4, RBI), Ella Dunn (2-for-4, double, triple, RBI), Chloe Jackson (2-for-4, triple, RBI), and Kylie Shoffner (2-for-3) all contributing with multiple hits.

Wilson earned the complete-game win.

East Prairie's tournament run ended with a close 8-7 loss to Greenville (8-8). Miller (3-for-4, RBI) and Jackson (2-for-4, home run, three RBIs) led the offensive charge, but it wasn't enough.

Despite the mixed bag of results, East Prairie's resilience and offensive potential shined through at times, offering a glimpse of what this team is capable of.

East Prairie hosts Charleston (1-9) and Caruthersville (8-13) on Wednesday and Thursday, before traveling to Malden (9-15) on Friday.

__EAST PRAIRIE 2, TWIN RIVERS 1__

T. Rivers 100 000 0 — 1 2 1

E. Prairie 000 200 0 — 2 5 1

W—Riley Wilson. L—Reese Crismon. 2B—Twin Rivers: Alexis Parson.

__BERNIE 8, EAST PRAIRIE 0, F/6__

E. Prairie 000 000 x — 0 3 3

Bernie 103 013 x — 8 7 1

W—Blair Pleimling. L—Addisyn Aters. HR—Bernie: Alexa Dillinger.

__EAST PRAIRIE 10, VAN BUREN 6, F6__

V. Buren 200 310 x — 6 6 4

E. Prairie 004 42x x — 10 12 4

W—Riley Wilson. L—Elli Lewis. 2B—East Prairie: Addisyn Aters, Ella Dunn, Harper Marshall. 3B—Van Buren: Katelyn Warner; East Prairie: Chloe Jackson, Dunn.

__GREENVILLE 8, EAST PRAIRIE 7, F/6__

Greenville 301 211 x — 8 10 1

E. Prairie 110 131 x — 7 10 0

W—Gracyn Hill. L—Addisyn Aters. 2B—Greenville: Makayla Hill, Taylor Wood. 3B—Greenville: Makayla Hills 2. HR—East Prairie: Chloe Jackson.