The Eastern softball team has had success this season when there is a spark in the dugout.

The Panthers had plenty of that spark and energy in the dugout in Saturday’s sweep of Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn.

The Panthers (24-14) will need plenty of that energy as they play their next 15 games at home. They start by playing a doubleheader against Saint Louis at 3 p.m. today at Williams Field.

Part of their energy comes with yelling and screaming in the dugout.

“A lot of girls lost their voice (Saturday),” said Eastern junior right fielder Denee’ Menzione.

Menzione said assistant coach Kate Stake instigated a lot of the singing Saturday, something that is common with softball teams.

“She’ll sing her brains out,” Menzione said. “She lost her voice because she sang so much.”

The Panthers are 6-4 at home. They are 18-10 away from Williams Field.

Menzione said they made Cookeville feel like home.

Because it was Easter weekend, she said a lot of family members showed up to the games.

“We made it our own,” Menzione said. “It was a fun win.”

Eastern softball head coach Kim Schuette said the team needs to come prepared each day, but this weekend she saw a lot of emotion out of her team.

“It was a fun place to be,” Schuette said. “They were determined.”

After the Billikens (14-22), Eastern returns to Ohio Valley Conference play against Morehead State Friday and Saturday for a three-game series. They play Illinois April 21, a doubleheader against Southeast Missouri April 23 and a three-game series against Jacksonville State on April 25 and April 26.

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