Turning the double play
Matt Daniels/Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: Sports
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It requires execution, quick feet and quick hands.
It also requires toughness, intelligence and an accurate throw.
Eastern's accomplished it five times this year through its first 31 games.
Turning a groundball into a double play that is.
The Panthers didn't turn their first groundball into a double play groundball until their 13th game of the season against San Jose State.
"It's a huge advantage to have a threat to be able to turn a double play," said Eastern head coach Kim Schuette. "Because the game is so much quicker, because the bases are so much shorter, double plays are something to celebrate."
The Panthers (14-17, 3-6 Ohio Valley Conference) will be looking to celebrate more of these double plays when they take on Eastern Kentucky (16-18, 8-3) in a three-game series this weekend in Richmond, Ky.
The Panthers turned a double play in the first inning of its game Tuesday against Ball State.
The ball was sharply hit right at junior shortstop Ashley Robison.
Robison fielded the ball cleanly, made a short throw to second baseman Sarah Coppert, who came over to cover the bag.
Coppert tapped the back edge of second base to get the first out.
Then she stepped back, out of the baseline and out of the way of the runner, and threw to first baseman Robyn Mackie for the second out on the play.
Coppert said how she turns the double play at second depends on where the ball is hit.
If the ball is hit at third base, Coppert will come across the base.
She said she does this because the throw from third to second is longer and she has to come closer to the ball to get it.
If the ball is hit to Robison or Eastern's other shortstop, senior Chelsea Adams, Coppert will touch the bag and step back, like she did against Ball State.
Coppert, who has started every Eastern game at second base this year, has a different approach than Adams or Robison.
This is she can't see the incoming runner when turning a double play since her back is turned to the baserunner.
But Schuette said she doesn't think seeing the runner or not seeing the runner an advantage.
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