EATON — After sweeping Waynesville earlier this week, Eaton’s softball team is closing in on fifth straight runner-up finish in the Southwestern Buckeye League.

The Eagles (12-6, 8-3 SWBL) knocked off the visiting Spartans 8-4 on Monday, April 29 then beat traveled to Waynesville on Wednesday and came away with a 4-1 win.

Eaton trails only Carlisle (20-3, 9-0 SWBL) in the league standings, while Brookville is 7-3 in league play.

The Eagles lone remaining league game was scheduled for Thursday, May 2 and a win will secure a second-place finish.

Carlisle and Brookville are set to meet twice in the next week (Friday, May 3 and Monday, May 6).

In the win on Wednesday, Hannah Redick gave the Eagles a 2-0 lead with her third home run in two games.

After the Spartans closed to within 2-1 in the fourth, Meredith Pieratt doubled to score two in the top of the sixth to extend the Eagles lead to 4-1.

“We started off sluggish at the plate but then Hannah stepped up and hit a 2-run homerun in the third,” Eaton coach Maggie Neanen said. “Defensively we played well behind Meredith, her and Julie (Schrimper) were great on the mound and behind the dish. Meredith only allowed 2 hits while striking out seven.”

Eaton was coming off a 9-7 setback at Franklin the previous night.

“Very proud of our bounce back, after a loss to Franklin that we let slip away. We will continue to keep grinding and try to find a groove for the tournament,” Neanen said.

In the first game with Waynesville, Eaton used a three-run third to take a 4-2 lead and never trailed again.

A three-run home run by freshman Kaydence Cook — the first of her career — pushed Eaton’s lead to 8-3 after six innings.

“Proud of the way we came out and competed. Meredith threw well and our defense supported her,” Neanen said. “Kaydence Cook drilled a ball like we knew she could. Ella Statzer is dominant on the bases, which helps. Our goal continues to be get better every game and prepare for tournament and tonight we did that.”

On Wednesday, Eaton fell at Franklin in an SWBL cross-over game.

Eaton fell behind 6-0 after the first inning.

Redick launched two home runs and drove in four runs, while Madison Copper and Ella Statzer each homered.

Eaton was scheduled to close out the regular season with Middletown Madison on Thursday, May 2 and Tri-County North on Friday, May 3.

Eaton will begin tournament play next Tuesday, hosting Belmont at 5 p.m.

Reach Eddie Mowen Jr. at 937-683-4061 and follow on X @emowenjr.