Tennessee State could not have been scheduled at a better time for Eastern’s softball team.

The Panthers (6-23,1-5) snapped their 13-game losing streak Wednesday, and nearly took the second game in an Ohio Valley Conference double header against Southeast Missouri State University.

The Tigers (6-22, 3-8) have had an equal amount of struggles this season, and this could be the opportunity Eastern has been waiting for a couple games in the win column.

The two teams meet for a three-game series this weekend with both teams looking to escape from the bottom of the OVC standings.

Eastern currently sits in last place while Tennessee State is just a few games ahead in sixth place.

Strength of schedule and the loss of junior pitcher Trish Sanders to injury has played a great part in the Panthers’ dismal record.

“We have really struggled from changing up our pitching lineup,” head coach Lloydene Searle said.

Eastern has played Tennessee Tech, Tennessee-Martin and SEMO so far in conference play, which are three of the top four teams in the OVC. The Panthers also played No. 25 Illinois, and almost pulled off an upset but fell 4-1 in extra innings.

“Some teams above and below us haven’t played as tough a schedule as we have,” Searle said. “We are playing some very good opponents and playing to where we can win it.”

This could be the weekend the Panther pitchers win consecutive games for the first time in over a month.

“In every aspect we seem to be settling in and now we have to go in and take advantage of (playing Tennessee State),” Searle said. “We certainly could pour it on.”

The Tigers are hitting an OVC-low .181 and only have three players hitting above .200, with junior Alana Thomas leading the way with a .357 average. Sophomore Angela Huebner is right behind her hitting .347 and a team leading five home runs.

Eastern senior Kristen Becker will see the mound twice this weekend and is coming off a four-hit shutout victory Wednesday.

“I think what was really encouraging is Becker has worked so hard,” Searle said. “She certainly pitched a great shutout. She was finally rewarded for her efforts.”

The Tigers have four pitchers that split the role of starting pitcher. Thomas is not only Tennessee State’s leading hitter, but she also has the team’s lowest ERA at 3.08, and has picked up half of the team’s wins this season.

Searle said she thinks Eastern can come away with at least two wins.

“I think our will is up after playing SEMO,” Searle said. “I think they (the Panthers) are ready not just to go in and take one.”