Eastern Illinois 4 Southeast Missouri 2 - Box Score I PDF Version

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Southeast Missouri baseball team dropped their series opener against Eastern Illinois 4-2 Friday afternoon on a cold and cloudy day in Charleston, Ill. Southeast allowed four runs in the first three innings as the Redahwks fall to 19-20 on the season and 11-8 in the OVC as EIU improves to 12-21 and 4-11 in conference.
 
Senior Zack Smith (2-4) was tagged with the loss as the senior went a career-high eight innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits as he recorded one strikeout and one walk.
 
Dalton Hewitt and Andy Lennington led the Redhawks as they each added a pair of hits. Lennington added a pair of RBI in the contest.
 
The Redhawks opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first inning. The Redhawks loaded the bases with a trio of walks.  Lennington drove in the first run with an RBI single through the right side.
 
The Panther tied the game in the bottom of the first on an error by the Redhawks. An RBI double by leadoff hitter Caleb Howell in the top of the second gave EIU a 2-1 lead.
 
EIU would take a 4-1 lead on a two-run double to left centerfield from Demetre Taylor scoring Brent Valach and Nick Priessman.
 
The Redhawks cut the Panthers lead to 4-2 in the top of the eighth inning as Lennington added another RBI with an RBI single to centerfield. The Redhawks failed to tie the game late as Smith retired 16 straight batters between the third and eighth innings to keep Southeast in the contest..
 
EIU Starter Jake Johansmeier (2-2) got the win going seven innings with five strikeouts allowing one earned run on four hits.
 
Priessman led the Panthers offensively going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
 
The Redhawks and Panthers return to action tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. at Coaches Stadium in Charleston, Ill.