CHARLESTON, Ill. - Southeast Missouri (14-14, 4-8) dropped a doubleheader to Eastern Illinois (14-13, 7-5), 1-0, 9-6, Monday.
Game one featured a pitcher's duel
Noah Niznik and Spenser Dexter. Niznik (2-2) struck out six, walked none and allowed the only run in 5.1 innings of work.
The Redhawks left a total of 12 runners on base and had the bases loaded in with one out before coming up empty in the seventh inning.
EIU was able to score the lone run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ryan Knernschield drove in Jimmy Govern on a fielder's choice to shortstop.
Dexter (3-1) struck out nine in six scoreless innings to earn the win.
A five-run second inning was the difference in the nightcap.
SEMO held a 2-0 lead after scoring once in the first two innings.
Connor Basler hit the game's first pitch for a single up the middle, stole third and came home on a bunt in the first, while
Trent Pobst drew a leadoff walk, stole third and scored on
Turner Fritts' sacrifice bunt in the second.
EIU countered with its five-run inning to pull away from the Redhawks.
Christian Pena started things off with a single to short. Matt Waznis followed with a single up the middle. On the next play Trey Sweeney load the bases when he was hit by a pitch. Tyler Tesmond drove a two-run single through the left side to tie the game at two. Govern would give the Panthers the lead with a two-run single up the middle. Grant Emme added an RBI-single to right field giving the Panthers a 5-2 advantage.
EIU widened its lead to 9-3 before the Redhawks put up three runs in the top of the sixth.
Tyler Wilber ripped a single to center field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Fritts singled home Wilber and
Garrett Stephens reached on an error.
Brett Gonzalez and Basler delivered run-scoring singles after that to narrow EIU's lead to 9-6.
Foster Anshutz (5-0) recorded the win allowing three runs on three hits. Tyler Jones picked up the save.
Austin Sachse (3-3) suffered the loss. Sachse gave up six runs and scattered seven hits, while striking out four in two innings.
Wilber and Basler both had two hits and scored to lead SEMO. The Redhawks finished with seven hits. Fritts collected a career-high three RBI, as well.
For the series, Wilber went 7-for-11 with five runs, a double and one home run.
SEMO returns home to host Missouri State Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., CT, at Capaha Field.
