Watching Eastern softball isn’t for the weak-hearted.

A possible list of side effects watching this Panther squad could include: increased heart rate, sudden shifts in mood swings, anxiety and loss of appetite.

All kidding aside, the Panthers and second-year head coach Kim Schuette, certainly do make their games entertaining

Eastern sits with a 13-17 record and 3-6 Ohio Valley Conference record after winning two out of three against Tennessee State this weekend.

Both Panthers’ wins came by the slim winning margin of one run, while TSU routed Eastern 3-1 in Saturday’s second game (note the sarcasm).

In Schuette’s time at Eastern, she preaches an aggressive base running philosophy, while having a disciplined, but you guessed it, aggressive approach at the plate.

Panther opponents have 50 more walks than Eastern (103-53). Eastern players know why they hold a bat in their hands: to swing it and hit, of course.

The Panthers managed to draw one walk in three games this weekend against TSU, while the Lady Tigers drew seven walks.

Eastern stole five bases this weekend, while being thrown out once. TSU was a perfect two-for-two in stealing off Eastern pitchers this weekend.

Once a Panther gets on base, even if they don’t steal, they will be aggressive.

Example No. 1 (It didn’t work)

In the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, sophomore speedster Anglea Danca singled to lead off the inning. The next batter, pitcher Karyn Mackie, successfully reached on a bunt, appearing to give Eastern runners on first and second no outs and a chance to add a run or two.

But Danca got greedy, trying to advance to third on the play. TSU’s first baseman alertly threw over to third base, where TSU’s catcher Erin Finneran alertly was waiting for Danca.

Finneran applied the tag and Danca was out by at least three feet.

Schuette slapped her hands while doing a mini-pirouette after Danca was called out.

But the aggressiveness isn’t necessarily a bad thing, although in this instance it didn’t work and the potential for a big inning was cut short.

Players want to play for a coach who’s willing to take a chance, have the other team make a play in order to win.

This is what Schuette does.

Example No. 2 (It worked)

In Sunday’s game, senior shortstop Chelsea Adams was out at home plate. Or at least it appeared she would be out.

Schuette sent Adams home after Katy Steele singled up the middle. The ball was hit sharply on the ground to centerfield. TSU centerfielder Diana Clifford fielded the ball cleanly, got her momentum behind her and fired a strike to catcher Erin Finneran.

The ball beat Adams to home plate. She should have been out. But Adams used her guile and play-making ability to hook slide past Finneran, reaching out with her left hand and touching home plate while sliding by it. It was a perfect slide to end a perfect play at the plate.

“After I sent her, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, the centerfielder’s on the edge of the (infield) dirt.'” Schuette said. “But hey, she made a great slide and I was just so happy she got around the tag.”

This situation worked out in the Panthers’ favor and proved to be the winning run in Eastern’s 1-0 win.

Schuette’s aggressive style, when it works, is smart because it puts pressure on the other team to beat her team.

When it doesn’t work, it puts Eastern at a disadvantage.

But I’d rather see a coach use an aggressive style rather than a passive one.

Schuette’s team, in ninth place heading into Sunday’s game, still needs more wins and better play to qualify for the six-team Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Will Schuette’s aggressivness hurt or help the Panthers the rest of the year? It’s unclear.

What is clear is that’s Schuette’s style and it won’t change.

So next time you stop by Williams Field, make sure you bust out the Maalox’s, shake up the Pepto-Bismol and hold onto your seats tightly if you want to watch Panther softball.