Panthers take series
The Eastern softball team defeated the Murray State Racers in a three game conference series this weekend at Williams Field. Eastern won both games played on Saturday, but lost the final game of the series on Sunday.
The Panthers improved their record to 15-15 overall, with a 5-6 mark in the OVC. Eastern head coach Kim Schuette was very proud of her team’s hard work on the field and felt that they really improved this weekend.
“Our team made big strides this weekend,” Schuette said. “They were a lot more excited to play and showed each other that they were there for each other. They had lots of energy in the dug out and were trying to take it to them.”
In the first game, Eastern took an early lead after a four run first inning and was able to hold Murray State down the whole game en route to a 5-4 Panther victory.
Sophomore Stephanie Maday made the start for Eastern going 5.1 innings on the mound while only allowing five hits and two runs (no earned runs). She also walked three Racers and struck out four.
Sophomore Hanna Mennenga came in to finish the game on the mound, and picked up her fifth win of the season while pitching the final 1.2 innings of the game.
Eastern was led at the plate by freshman Bailey O’Dell, who returned to her normal form after struggling the past couple games. She was 4-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored.
Junior second baseman Carly Willert also had a productive game, continuing her hot streak by going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
Junior Abby Wood hit her first home run of the season and drove in four big runs to give Eastern a cushion in the first inning.
Eastern’s bats were just as effective in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader as they out-hit Murray State 14-6 on the way to their second victory of the day.
Mennenga made the start for Eastern, going 5.1 innings on the mound while allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and five walks. She also struck out two racers on the way to her second victory of the day. Mennenga is now 6-4 for the season.
Maday relieved Mennenga for the final 1.2 innings of the game and closed the door on the Racers for Eastern’s second victory of the day.
Bailey O’Dell was once again very productive, going 2-for-5 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs scored. Junior outfielder Melise Brown erupted at the plate going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
Willert continued being extremely efficient in the batter’s box. She went two-for-three with two RBIs. Center fielder Halyley Pieper also decided to get into the action with two hits in the victory.
In Sunday’s action, the Panthers lost a hard fought game to the Murray State Racers by a final score of 3-0. Eastern struggled at the plate after two spectacular games on Saturday, and were only able to get two hits for the game.
The main problem for the Panthers was there defense, which made five errors for the game, resulting in two unearned runs. Schuette feels that if the defense relaxed a little more that they would be fine.
“Some of the errors were mental and some were physical,” Schuette said. “The physical ones happen, the mental we have to control. We can relax a little bit more on defense instead of tightening up. My third baseman, shortstop, second baseman and first baseman are all really good players, and if they remember that they’ll be fine. Stuff like this happens once in a while, they just can’t dwell on it.”
Stephanie Maday made the start for Eastern on the mound and pitched fantastically. She allowed only four hits in seven innings of work that resulted in three runs (one earned run). She also struck out six Racers in the game. Maday was quite calm after the game and knew she did everything possible in the attempt for the win.
“I did what I had to do,” Maday said. “I let the defense take over. We all have bad days, but we’ll come back and get it next time.”
Schuette was very pleased with Maday’s performance.
“Maday threw a great game today, we just didn’t get it done offensively or defensively,” Schuette said.
Murray State pitcher Shelby Kosmecki was brilliant as she led her team to the victory with a complete game shutout. Kosmecki threw seven innings while only allowing two hits. She also struck out five Panthers in the game.
Eastern’s next games will take place this Wednesday as they travel to Southeast Missouri to take them on in an Ohio Valley Conference double-header.
Erik Jensen can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].
