Spring Break
Softball: Streak ends against TTU as Panthers win
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports
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Despite tornadoes and torrential downpour Friday in Cookeville, Tenn., the Panthers came away with their first win against the Golden Eagles since 2004, and snapped an 11-game losing streak to TTU.
"We've waited a long time to beat TTU," said Eastern head coach Kim Schuette as the Panthers swept TTU 11-0 in five innings and 2-1 Saturday.
"They had waited all weekend to play," she said. "Things just went our way."
That includes being able to get two games in. Both teams were supposed to play a doubleheader Friday, but during warm-ups, they put the tarp on the field because of the rain and had to leave the campus because of severe weather conditions in the area.
After lunch at Fazoli's, Eastern's teams were in their hotel rooms on the second floor when the sirens went off. The Panthers then moved down to a first-floor suite as they watched the Weather Channel and waited out the storms.
Eastern junior right fielder Denee' Menzione said the Panthers were ready to play after the ordeal.
In Saturday's win against TTU (21-23, 9-6 Ohio Valley Conference), the Panthers (24-14, 8-3) vaulted themselves into second place in the OVC.
"The girls were motivated already," Schuette said. "The tornadoes were a little bit more scary."
Eastern came out of the gates in the first game scoring all 11 runs in the first three innings.
Eastern freshman catcher Hailee Hanna started things off with a three-run home in the first. Menzione added a grand slam in the second, and senior second baseman Sarah Coppert added a three-run shot in the third inning as the Panthers coasted in a shortened game.
"I think the first game, we were ready to play," Menzione said.
While Menzione said Coppert and her have been struggling, the home runs were an added touch.
"We've been trying to get out of slumps," Menzione said. "She came into the dugout, and said, 'Finally."'
Eastern junior center fielder Angie Danca added a single RBI in the second inning as well.
Eastern junior Amber May (17-9) pitched a three-hitter, walked one and struck out three.
The Panthers doled out seven hits in the victory, as all but two starting players had a hit.
In the second game, Eastern clawed out a 2-1 win. But the Panthers are 12-4 in one-run games this season, including a 5-1 mark in the OVC.
Despite being out-hit 4-1, the Panthers scored two runs in the top of the fourth.
Menzione, who had the only hit of the game, scored the game-winning run off a double steal with Coppert, and both scored on an error by the TTU catcher when the ball went into left field.
Eastern senior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby (6-5) picked up her second straight win. Jacoby walked none, gave up only four hits and struck out five.
Schuette said that was the best game Jacoby threw all season.
Jacoby said she is feeling a lot more comfortable on the mound.
The Panthers return to action against Saint Louis in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Williams Field.
Standings
Team / OVC / Overall
JSU / 11-1 / 26-9
EIU / 8-3 / 24-14
TTU / 9-6 / 21-23
MOR / 9-7 /24-14
UTM / 8-8 / 24-18
TSU / 7-10 / 15-20
EKU / 5-8 / 14-19
SEMO / 4-8 / 13-19
AP / 2-10 / 10-28
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or at kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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