Last year when Eastern head coach Lloydene Searle put Purdue on this season’s schedule, she wanted to get good preparation in the middle of the week for the weekend’s conference games.

Little did she know Eastern (8-24) would suffer as many injuries as it has and be forced to use senior pitcher Kristen Becker in just about every opportunity with the absence of junior Trish Sanders.

“Last year when I scheduled them, I’m thinking I have two guns and a closer,” Searle said.

Purdue (27-20) brings in a tough hitting lineup that is averaging .311 this season and has played 15 more games than Eastern has thus far. This means the Panthers are going to have to be at the top of their game Wednesday when they travel for a doubleheader at the Varsity Softball Complex.

“This will be a good opportunity for all of our pitchers to have that mindset to challenge them, and have a good solid two games,” Searle said. “We want them to stay ahead (of their batters) and keep ahead. If we can keep the batters off pace, we will be all right.”

Aside from being able to put the ball into play, the Boilermakers have several players who can send it over the fence. Purdue has three players who have five or more home runs including nine apiece from Tricia Lilley and Heidi Foster.

“That is definitely something that you don’t get to relax on,” Searle said. “You have to go after every single hitter.”

The Boilermakers also bring a one-two punch on the mound with senior Leighann Burke and freshman Diana LaRiva. Both have an ERA under 2.50 and both know how to strike batters out. LaRiva averages nearly a strikeout per inning with 130 in 132 innings pitched.

Searle is optimistic that her players can be successful as long as they continue to swing the bat well.

“This is obviously going to be a test for our hitters,” Searle said. “Usually our hitters play better against better pitchers. I hope they pull the trigger and take a risk. When you don’t swing, you can’t hit it.”

If the Panthers can pull off a win against Purdue and bring back a few of their injured players, this could set up for the turnaround Eastern needs.

“I always tell them that wins happen,” Searle said. “I feel like we cannot only give Purdue some good competition, but if we do what we are capable of doing, we can come away with a win.”