Senior infielder Melinda Jackson carried Eastern’s softball team to a 6-0 win last Sunday against Butler, going 2-for-2 with two home runs and four RBI’s.

The two home runs moved Jackson into seventh on Eastern career home run list. Jackson said she was unaware that she was among the best home run hitters in Eastern’s history but she said it is a great honor to be in Eastern’s history.

Jackson said she does not know how high she can climb on the list.

“I’m just going to go into every at bat and try and hit the ball hard and we will see what happens,” Jackson said.

Jackson is batting .400 in six games this season. Even though she has not played in four games this season, she is among the team leaders in many statistical categories. She is tied for the team lead in home runs (2) and total bases (13) and she leads the team in slugging percentage (.867) and RBI’s (7).

Jackson said her key to success is to make the pitcher work for her.

“I wanted to stay in charge of my at bat,” Jackson said. “Staying relaxed, looking for my pitch and just focusing on the ball.”

As for the rest of the season, Jackson said she thinks she can be successful if she focuses on each at bat individually and by staying positive.

“In the past, I have let a few bad at bats get me down and it just became a domino effect, and this year I am really trying to stay confident in my abilities,” Jackson said. ” This is a game of failure and I have to know and realize I am not going to go 3-3 every game.”

Right now the Panthers have a record of 5-5; however they are 3-2 when Jackson is in the line-up. Jackson has shown significant improvement since last season, when she batted .176 with four home runs and 18 RBI’s.

Jackson said the team can be very successful this season because of the talent, great chemistry and a good coaching staff.

“This is by far the best team I have played on since I have been here at Eastern,” Jackson said. “I am extremely excited for conference play to start because I have high expectations for our team. In my mind there is absolutely no reason why we should not host and win the Ohio Valley Conference tournament this year.”

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu

Melinda Jackson, a senior first baseman, pictured in a March 27, 2010 game, went 2-for-2 with four RBIs in Sunday’s win against Butler University. (Audrey Sawyer

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