Spring Break
Column: Weather not softball team's concern
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Sports
The Eastern softball team is taking advantage of its chances to play with the weather this season.
The Panthers (19-12, 6-3 Ohio Valley Conference) have played 31 games and none have been canceled.
With 24 games remaining, Eastern still has five league series to play. But considering the number of canceled games last season, the Panthers are in a good position. They have already reached half of the league wins.
"We've been lucky this year," Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said. "Today was a little shaky. Otherwise, we've done pretty well."
Going deep
The Panthers went deep three times this weekend. But, what was even more impressive was that three different players hit a home run.
Eastern junior right fielder Denee' Menzione, freshman catcher Hailee Hanna and freshman left fielder Hayley Pieper all hit a home run. For Hanna and Pieper, it was the first of their careers.
Pieper's was extra special because it was a grand slam.
She said she didn't think it was going out of the park because she was sprinting around first base.
But Pieper said she saw it go over by the time she was at second base. And she said it felt great to come home and be greeted by everyone.
As a team, the Panthers have hit 18 home runs, which is the fifth-most in program history. Eight different players have hit a home run this season. Menzione leads the Panthers with six home runs, which is tied for seventh all-time in a season. She only needs two home runs to tie the record of eight. Menzione ranks third all-time with 17 home runs in her career.
Defense supports pitching
Despite committing four errors this weekend, the Eastern defense also turned three double plays. The Panthers had only turned eight all season. Also, they have only committed 42 errors, while their opponents have committed 49 errors.
Final note
The Panthers return to action against Butler at 2 p.m. on Thursday in a doubleheader at Williams Field. The Panthers defeated Butler 7-0 last season in Indianapolis.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
The Panthers (19-12, 6-3 Ohio Valley Conference) have played 31 games and none have been canceled.
With 24 games remaining, Eastern still has five league series to play. But considering the number of canceled games last season, the Panthers are in a good position. They have already reached half of the league wins.
"We've been lucky this year," Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said. "Today was a little shaky. Otherwise, we've done pretty well."
Going deep
The Panthers went deep three times this weekend. But, what was even more impressive was that three different players hit a home run.
Eastern junior right fielder Denee' Menzione, freshman catcher Hailee Hanna and freshman left fielder Hayley Pieper all hit a home run. For Hanna and Pieper, it was the first of their careers.
Pieper's was extra special because it was a grand slam.
She said she didn't think it was going out of the park because she was sprinting around first base.
But Pieper said she saw it go over by the time she was at second base. And she said it felt great to come home and be greeted by everyone.
As a team, the Panthers have hit 18 home runs, which is the fifth-most in program history. Eight different players have hit a home run this season. Menzione leads the Panthers with six home runs, which is tied for seventh all-time in a season. She only needs two home runs to tie the record of eight. Menzione ranks third all-time with 17 home runs in her career.
Defense supports pitching
Despite committing four errors this weekend, the Eastern defense also turned three double plays. The Panthers had only turned eight all season. Also, they have only committed 42 errors, while their opponents have committed 49 errors.
Final note
The Panthers return to action against Butler at 2 p.m. on Thursday in a doubleheader at Williams Field. The Panthers defeated Butler 7-0 last season in Indianapolis.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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