In an offense which preaches scoring one run every inning, head coach Bonnie Skrenta often talks about moving runners on the base paths using sacrifice bunts and fundamental base running.
While the team primarily scores their runs in this manner, the Tigers are enjoying having a pure power-hitter in the heart of their lineup.
Catcher and designated player Haley Buchanan, a junior, has provided a big-time homerun threat hitting in the fifth position in the lineup. Providing protection for senior Emma Minx, Buchanan has often stepped up to the plate with runners on and come through with instant offense.
Last weekend, Buchanan hit her 11th and 12th homeruns, earning her the single-season homerun record, previously shared with sophomore Amy Hallett (10). Her homeruns came in game one against Washington University-St. Louis, where she launched a grand slam and a two-run homerun for a total of six RBIs, leading the team to an 8-2 victory.
Before Buchanan stepped to the plate to hit her grand slam on Saturday, senior Emma Minx drew a walk to load the bases for the Tiger slugger. With Minx leading the team with 52 RBIs and showing power with nine homeruns, pitchers often pitch around the senior and end up making a big mistake.
"She provides protection to not walk Emma Minx," said coach Skrenta. "She just knows how to come through. What's more fun is when she gets in the game and I give her the bunt sign and she is committed to the team's game-plan."
Buchanan's batting average of .302 is indicative of her role on the team as a slugger or fitting into Skrenta's offensive strategy of telling anyone at any point to move runners on the base paths. With a team leading nine sacrifice hits and 2-2 in sacrifice bunts, Buchanan is more than willing to give up her bat if it means a better chance for her teammates behind her to score.
"If Emma gets on base, I know I'm going up there to bunt," said Buchanan. "I definitely have a situational attitude, and thinking about that sort of thing helps me calm down. I know my role and I know how to get it done."
In the championship game of the SCAC tournament, Buchanan hit a three-run homerun in DePauw's 3-2 win. She came to the plate hitless in the tournament and with two outs, just wanted to put a good swing on the ball and score the runner on second base.
"Coach always talks about bleeding second base and when a runner is on second base, they're going to score no matter what," Buchanan said. "As hitter, when you see a runner on second, you have to make sure they can get in, either hit it to the right so they can move over easier. As a team, we need to score those runs every inning."
Her .694 slugging percentage is good for fifth in school history, and with her 12 homeruns, Buchanan now leads the SCAC and is tied for 16th in NCAA Div. III.
With Buchanan's ability to be either a power hitter or to set up the batters behind her, Skrenta appreciates her willingness to be a team player.
"She's been a wonderful teammate and player to coach."