Issue date: 4/2/09 Section: Sports

Freshman catcher Hailee Hanna goes to scoop up the ball after it bounces during practice Tuesday in Lantz Fieldhouse. Hanna is one of seven freshmen this season on the Eastern softball team. Hanna is batting .328 this season, and she is the third primary catcher in four seasons at Eastern. (Karolina Strack/The Daily Eastern News)

Eastern head softball coach Kim Schuette has a difficult task this season. And that is trying to work seven freshmen in and out of the lineup.

While two to three freshmen have been thrust into the lineup for the Panthers (19-12), there are still four to five to work in at some point.

Luckily, these seven freshmen have banded together and adopted the philosophies of the team.

Hailee Hanna, Hayley Pieper and Maria Sorrentino have seen the most playing time this season, and they will help the Panthers today against Butler (11-16) at 2 p.m. in a doubleheader at Williams Field.

Hanna, the team's catcher, has been a force behind the plate, and she has helped with the bat, too. She has been hitting out of the sixth or seventh spot and is batting .328 through 23 games.

"She's been our rock behind the plate," Schuette said. "I've never had so many umpires tell me what a great catcher she is to be behind. That's a pretty big compliment for an umpire to make."

Pieper has been playing left field, and recently found her swing with her first grand slam on Saturday.

Schuette likes Pieper's overhand throw.

"Extending through the ball is a big thing for her," Schuette said. "Hopefully, she can keep coming into her own."

Sorrentino has been an all-around player, hitting out of the ninth spot. She is a slapper who can steal bases, and because of an injury to sophomore pitcher Taylor Lawson, she is also being asked to pitch.

"She's a feisty little fireplug," Schuette said. "She's just an athlete that likes a challenge. She's been throwing a little bit in practice."

The seven have grown close and take turns in playing.

"We are really close," Hanna said. "We really have good team chemistry. There's no cliques or anything like that. Everyone gets along. I think that shows a lot about out team."

Hanna said it is not easy for Schuette to get everyone in the game.

"We can compete with each other," Sorrentino said. "But it's good competition. It's good competition because we improve each other."

Sorrentino said the freshmen have been so close - mainly because they are all freshmen.

"It was a natural thing for all of us," Sorrentino said. "They're not only my teammates, they're my best friends."

And with six non-conference games, including the two today, Schuette will have more opportunities to insert more freshmen before returning to the Ohio Valley Conference schedule on April 10 against Tennessee Tech.

With the rest of the class, Amanda Bilina and Ashley Anderton are the two power hitters. Bilina had a walk-off home run against Lake Land College in the fall, and had an important home run against New Mexico State in the spring. Both can serve as the designated players or as a first or third baseman.

"(Anderton is) a strong hitter," Schuette said. "We want her to keep swinging the bat."

Anderton is hitting .163, and Bilina is hitting .167.

Jennifer Saucier and Monica Strube are the final two freshmen. Saucier has played a variety of positions this season, including third base, pinch runner and designated player.

Strube is the role player. She warms up the pitcher, keeps track in the scorebook and is a pinch runner. Saucier can play the infield or the outfield.

Schuette said she can play Saucier anywhere and wants her to get more at-bats.

With 24 games remaining this season, the Panthers have a chance to do damage with their freshmen.

Hanna wants the Panthers to be successful the rest of the season.

"I want to owe it to the seniors to go as far as we can in the OVC," she said.


Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.

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