Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Sports

Eastern freshman left fielder Hayley Pieper throws to the infield after making a catch in the outfield during the first game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon against Morehead State at Williams Field. (Erin Matheny / The Daily Eastern News)

Tuesday's game between the Eastern and Illinois softball teams was canceled. The game was supposed to be played at 6 p.m. at Williams Field.

"Due to a combination of weather, temperature and field conditions, today's game has unfortunately been cancelled," said Eastern head coach Kim Schuette in a press release.

Both Schuette and Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan agreed that calling the game between the two schools was in the best interest of all involved.

Eastern has had only four games canceled this season. Last season, the Panthers had 15 games canceled.

"I thought when I first started coaching I thought I could challenge Mother Nature," Schuette said.

The Panthers return to action against Ohio Valley Conference teams when they play Southeast Missouri in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Thursday at Williams Field.


Team among elite in league

The Panthers (24-19, 8-6 OVC) are in third in the OVC. Several players have a lot to do why they are in third place.

Eastern sophomore third baseman Kiley Holtz and Eastern junior right fielder Denee' Menzione are in the top 10 in multiple OVC rankings.

Menzione is ranked fifth in home runs this season (7), and Holtz is ranked eighth in home runs as well (6). Menzione ranks second in the league with 23 walks, which is tied for fourth all-time in a season at Eastern.
Menzione's 28 runs ranks eighth in the OVC. Holtz and Menzione rank fourth and fifth in the league in RBIs.


Coppert moves up records list

Eastern senior shortstop Sarah Coppert has moved up into the top 10 in many Eastern career records.

The Kaneland graduate is eighth all-time in hits (171), fourth all-time in doubles (34), tied for 11th in home runs (5), sixth all-time in RBIs (79), fourth in runs (112), fifth in stolen bases (56), eighth in walks (55) and eighth in at-bats (597).

She is fourth in the league with 16 stolen bases. Her 29 runs rank sixth in the OVC.


Danca going to grad school

Eastern red-shirt junior center fielder Angie Danca is going to use her red-shirt year.

Although Danca is set to graduate in May, she has been accepted to Eastern's graduate school in kinesiology.

Danca is batting .302 this season with two triples, which ranks fifth in the OVC this season. She also has 34 stolen bases, which ranks eighth all-time at Eastern. Danca's 11 stolen bases this season rank 11th in the OVC this season.


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

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