Column: Freshmen softball players important to Panthers
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Sports
The Eastern softball class of 2012 has a special opportunity this season.
They are the support group for the Panthers, and so far they have been doing well.
The Panthers (19-12) had a good group of returning players this season, but they've had to mix in seven freshmen.
It hasn't been easy.
Hailee Hanna has been the catcher and has handled most of the duties, especially in Ohio Valley Conference games.
Left-fielder Hayley Pieper has hit out of the ninth spot, and she has switched back and forth with fellow freshman Maria Sorrentino.
Add into the mix designated players Amanda Bilina and Ashley Anderton, pinch-runners Monica Strube and Jennifer Saucier, and it can be confusing.
Sorrentino and Hannah said with everyone working together the team is really confident, and the chemistry is flowing.
That's a good sign to see.
After senior second baseman Sarah Coppert and senior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby graduate, it will be important for these freshmen to carry on the mentality of working together.
But at the same time, these freshmen realize they can be competitive with each other, but also they have the fighting spirit of the senior class.
So it is nice to see potential. And with Hanna behind the plate and Sorrentino's speed, these freshmen can make a difference for the next couple of seasons and will be a part of this program perhaps going to an OVC regular season championship or tournament championship.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
They are the support group for the Panthers, and so far they have been doing well.
The Panthers (19-12) had a good group of returning players this season, but they've had to mix in seven freshmen.
It hasn't been easy.
Hailee Hanna has been the catcher and has handled most of the duties, especially in Ohio Valley Conference games.
Left-fielder Hayley Pieper has hit out of the ninth spot, and she has switched back and forth with fellow freshman Maria Sorrentino.
Add into the mix designated players Amanda Bilina and Ashley Anderton, pinch-runners Monica Strube and Jennifer Saucier, and it can be confusing.
Sorrentino and Hannah said with everyone working together the team is really confident, and the chemistry is flowing.
That's a good sign to see.
After senior second baseman Sarah Coppert and senior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby graduate, it will be important for these freshmen to carry on the mentality of working together.
But at the same time, these freshmen realize they can be competitive with each other, but also they have the fighting spirit of the senior class.
So it is nice to see potential. And with Hanna behind the plate and Sorrentino's speed, these freshmen can make a difference for the next couple of seasons and will be a part of this program perhaps going to an OVC regular season championship or tournament championship.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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