Softball: Eastern edges league enemy
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: Sports
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Holtz hit a walk-off single to diving Tennessee Martin shortstop freshman Jenny Bain as the Panthers won 2-1 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon at Williams Field.
Holtz plated both of Eastern's runs, but her second RBI of the day came with the bases loaded as Eastern took the Ohio Valley Conference series sweep against the Skyhawks this weekend.
Holtz, who was facing a bases-loaded situation, hit an outside pitch that capped Eastern's ability to win tight games. Eastern won 2-1 in eight innings and 5-4 on Saturday in the conference doubleheader at Williams Field.
Eastern junior second baseman Megan Nelson would score the game-winning run for the Panthers (17-10, 4-2 OVC) after being placed on second to start the 10th inning because of the international tie-breaker rule in the league.
"It's just a game," Holtz said. "I was looking for the pitch you want, and I got the outside. And the infield was in, and she had to dive."
The Panthers swept an OVC series for the first time since the end of the 2006 season when they defeated Eastern Kentucky at the end of the season.
Holtz also was able to bring in Eastern senior second baseman Sarah Coppert from second base. Holtz hit a ball that landed along the right field line.
"I stuck my hands out and basically, dinked down the line," Holtz said. "Luckily, it stayed fair and worked out for us."
Eastern's defense backed up junior pitcher Amber May's performance on the mound. May (12-6) gave up only four hits in the loss. She struck out two and walked only two in her third appearance of the weekend.
In the 10th inning, UTM's senior Savannah Roberts was left stranded on third base after a sacrifice bunt, a strikeout and a popout to Coppert.
The Skyhawks (18-12, 2-4) left seven runners stranded on base, but Eastern didn't fare much better. The Panthers left 12 on after finishing the game with nine hits.
The Skyhawks got to May in the top of the ninth inning when junior centerfielder Megan Williams and junior catcher Laurie Lindow hit back-to-back singles.
But May was able to get of the inning thanks to a groundout and a flyout to right field.
"Sometimes I start to panic," May said. "With this team, I've started to realize, I don't have to panic anymore. I rely on my defense. There were some spectacular plays in the outfield. I'm glad to see their hard work has finally paid off in a game."
Eastern head coach Kim Schuette was pleased with a lot of things, but was proud of the pitching staff.
"They brought it way up when they had to," Schuette said. "Amber and (senior pitcher) Kathleen Jacoby compliment each other. Amber has the spotlight right now. She has the light on her. But (Jacoby) did a good job of getting that game two for us."
The Panthers had the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth but were unable to push across a run.
UT Martin senior Kara Harper (7-4) held the Panthers to two runs despite the nine hits. She walked five and struck out only one. But the Skyhawk defense kept the Panthers at bay with two double plays.
The Panthers are now on a six-game winning streak after losing two of its first three-conference games against Tennessee State. The Panthers are 10-4 in one-run games this season with a 5-1 record in extra innings this season.
"We just got to take it game by game and have some fun here," Schuette said.
Eastern is tied for third place with Southeast Missouri.
But the Panthers will step out of the league with a non-conference game against No. 20 Southern Illinois Carbondale (18-6) at 4 p.m. Wednesday in Carbondale.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
Softball
Team / OVC / Overall
Tennessee Tech / 5-0 / 16-14
Jacksonville State / 4-1 / 17-9
E. Illinois / 4-2 / 17-10
Southeast Missouri / 2-1 / 11-8
Tennessee State / 3-3 / 11-12
Morehead State / 3-5 / 14-9
Tennessee Martin / 2-4 / 18-12
Eastern Kentucky / 1-3 / 9-13
Austin Peay / 0-5 / 6-22
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