Eastern’s softball team has rebounded from its dismal start out in New Mexico by winning five of its next 12 due to solid pitching from a veteran and a newcomer.

Senior Kristen Becker and freshman Ashley Condon have kept the Panthers (5-12) in the game with continual solid pitching efforts.

Condon is leading the Panthers this season in earned run average and Becker is looking to have four consecutive seasons with an ERA lower than 2.5 in her Panther career.

“I think we are getting solid defense behind us when we’re on the mound,” Condon said.

Becker received All-Tournament team honors while at Sanford after allowing only four runs on seven hits in 13 total innings, which included a complete game shutout against Alabama A&M.

“Every pitcher has gone seven innings in a game, which shows durability, and our defense was a question mark going into the season,” Panther head coach Lloydene Searle said.

Of the 12 Panther losses, nine have been decided by two runs or less.

“That one pitch, one walk and one hit that we haven’t been getting could have swung those games the other way,” Searle said.

Becker and Kristin Lovering received All-Tournament honors in the Western Kentucky Tournament which the Panthers finished at 3-1.

“I think we are playing well because we are facing competition at our level now,” Condon said.

The Panthers play a pair of double-headers with Indiana State in their home opener and travel to compete with Western Illinois.

“I really see some W’s down the road, but in our next upcoming games, we should be successful,” Searle said.

Searle sees her offense being revolved around four outfielders that can all start on any given game.

“It really makes it difficult for the coaching staff to have to sit one of them and pick when to sub them in,” Searle said.

Eastern is currently leaving too many runners on base to please Searle and the coaching staff.

“We are getting our lead-off on, but we can’t bring them around,” Searle said.

The Panthers will open up Williams Field in 2003 against the Sycamores 2 p.m. Thursday.