The Eastern softball team swept Ohio Valley Conference rival Tennessee State in a three-game series this weekend.

Eastern won two games on Friday. They won the first game by a score of 7-3, and the second game with a score of 5-3. They then proved themselves to be the superior team when they took the final game of the series on Saturday with a score of 4-0.

The Panthers improved their overall record to 20-15 for the season, while improving the conference record to 10-6. Eastern is playing as well as it has all season, and currently has a five-game winning streak, while also winning seven of its last eight games.

Eastern head coach Kim Schuette has been a big proponent of teamwork and great team chemistry the whole year. It finally looks as if the team has accepted this philosophy full heartedly.

“These players are becoming a team and starting to play together with focus, hard work, energy and enthusiasm,” Schuette said. “Different people are stepping up and each person right now just wants to help the team.”

No one stepped up as much as junior outfielder Melise Brown. Brown led all hitters with a .538 batting average, attaining seven hits in 13 at bats. She also drove in five RBIs and scored four runs. That’s not all though, as she also played great defense and stole four bases in five attempts.

“Mo had a great weekend,” Schuette said. “She’s tough to defend and pitch to when she can bunt, steal, beat out ground balls and drive in runs.

She also made some nice plays in the outfield for the team.”

In the Panther’s first game on Friday, they used a four-run fourth inning to put the game out of reach, ending in a 7-3 Eastern victory.

Sophomore right-hander Stephanie Maday picked up the win on the mound after pitching seven innings and allowing only three runs (two earned) on six hits. She also struck out six Redhawk batters.

Sophomore Carly Willert and Melise Brown both had three hits in the win while driving in two runs.

Eastern would then go on to win the second game of the day with good pitching and strong hitting.

They outhit Tennessee State by a tally of 7-4 while also making one less error. The end result was a 5-3 Eastern win.

Sophomore newcomer Hanna Mennenga continued her excellent stretch of great performances on the mound with a complete game victory over the Redhawks. Mennenga pitched seven innings while only allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits.

Freshman Bailey O’Dell and sophomore first baseman Reynae Hutchinson paced the Panthers at the plate with two hits each. Hutchinson also recorded and RBI in the victory.

The final game of the series might have been Eastern’s top performance of the weekend as they shut out Tennessee State in a 4-0 victory.

Maday made the start for Eastern and had a terrific performance. She pitched a complete game shutout while only giving up two hits. She is now 11-8 on the mound for the season.

Melise Brown led the Panthers at the plate with three hits, two RBIs, and a run scored. She also stole a base.

Coach Schuette is very happy with the teams approach, and expects it to continue. “We are taking one day at a time and are enjoying the game, each other and each opportunity,” she said.

The Panthers next game will be on Tuesday when they take on Indiana State in Terre Haute, Ind. The first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Erik Jensen can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected]