The Eastern softball team opened its season with a bang and is off to one of its best starts in school history.

The Panthers won the Troy Cox Classic hosted by New Mexico State in Las Cruces, N.M. by winning all five of their games including three one-run games.

The Panthers defeated Central Michigan 7-6, on Sunday, New Mexico State 2-1, and Texas-El Paso 6-1, on Saturday. Eastern (5-0) also defeated Saint Mary’s (Calif.) 6-0 and New Mexico State 4-3 on Friday.

“I think we showed a lot of heart in our wins,” Eastern junior right fielder Denee’ Menzione said. “We all believe that is going to be our season to shine.”

The Panthers had won the tourney on Saturday, but remained undefeated with a win against the Chippewas on Sunday morning in a wild contest.

The Panthers were down 4-0 headed into the bottom of the fourth, but scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth and held on for the win.

Eastern freshman third baseman Kiley Holtz reached on an error by CMU, which, thanks to another CMU error, allowed Eastern senior second baseman Sarah Coppert to score. Eastern freshman designated player Ashley Anderton reached on an Eastern choice, which allowed Menzione to score. Eastern freshman catcher Haillee Hanna singled to left field, which allowed Holtz to score. Eastern freshman left fielder Hailey Pieper reached on an error, which allowed Eastern to load the bases.

Eastern junior shortstop Megan Nelson also reached on error in the next at-bat, which allowed Eastern to bring in its fourth run of the inning. Eastern red-shirt junior center fielder Angela Danca singled up the middle to score Hanna. Coppert hit a sacrifice fly to right field to allow Pieper to score. Menzione then hit the game-winning single, which allowed Nelson to score Eastern’s final run of the tournament.

“I knew the team was tough,” Eastern head coach Kim Schuette said. “I don’t try to worry about the wins and the losses. I didn’t know when the wins were going to come.”

Eastern sophomore Amber May (4-0) came in relief in the final game. She pitched 4 and 1/3 innings. She only gave up two runs and two hits. She walked one and struck out three.

May pitched a complete game against New Mexico State on Saturday. She scattered six hits, walked one and struck out nine.

“I was nervous,” May said. “I was like shaky at first. I was kind of scared.”

May, a junior college All-American from Heartland College, said she trusted in her team and knew that they would score runs for her.

The Panthers used a three-run home run from Coppert to defeat Texas-El Paso on Saturday.

Eastern had a dramatic win against the Aggies Friday. The Panthers were down 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman designated player Amanda Bilina hit a two-run home run to tie the game.

“That might have crossed the New Mexico border,” Menzione said. “It was a bomb and something we needed. She came through big.”

And then Menzione took a bases-loaded walk for a walk-off win.

Menzione said it was nerve-wracking when she went up to the plate. She said the pitches were outside and made it a little easier for her.

“It made easier for us knowing that we didn’t win on a cheap call,” Menzione said.

Menzione, May and Coppert earned tourney honors. May was named the MVP of the tourney.

The Panthers are the only OVC team that is still undefeated. They will continue action at the South Carolina Gamecock Invitational on Friday in Columbia, S.C. The Panthers will play Virginia, Sacred Heart, South Carolina and James Madison.

Eastern’s longest winning steak in history is 11 games.

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