The Eastern softball team does not have any familiarity with its weekend opponents.

But that doesn’t matter to them.

Like most teams, they are not concentrating on themselves, but with the Panthers (7-2), there is a fire to win.

“Win – that’s what we’re going to do,” said Eastern senior pitcher Kathleen Jacoby. “We’re going to win every inning. That’s basically our mentality.”

With Jacoby, senior second baseman Sarah Coppert and red-shirt junior centerfielder Angela Danca spearheading this mentality, the Panthers have won the New Mexico State Tournament Title this season and are off to one of its best starts.

This weekend the Panthers will try using their mentality against Kennesaw State, North Carolina Central and Southern Mississippi.

The Panthers will play at the Owl Classic in Kennesaw, Ga., hosted by Kennesaw State.

They will play Kennesaw State at 10 a.m. today and Southern Mississippi at 5:30 p.m. today. Eastern will also play North Carolina Central (1-15) at 10 a.m. Saturday.

The Panthers will also play one of these three teams in bracket play Saturday at either 3 or 5:30 p.m.

“We need to keep working hard no matter if we do well or we’re doing really well,” Jacoby said.

Southern Mississippi (6-10-1) won the tournament last year. Kennesaw State (5-8) lost to Southern Mississippi in that title game, and is hosting its third tournament this season.

“It really doesn’t matter who we’re playing, I’m just more worried about our kids showing up,” said Eastern head softball coach Kim Schuette.

Schuette said she emphasized focus to the team this week in practice, and the Panthers have seemed to pick that up.

This intensity has spread throughout the rest of the team.

“Once someone gets that mentality, it catches on like wildfire,” Jacoby said. “Everyone wants to win. Everyone wants to step up.”

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