CHARLESTON, Ill. – Southeast Missouri (11-11, 5-4) dropped a pair of games to Eastern Illinois (13-10, 4-5) by scores of 9-2 and 8-4 Saturday afternoon at Coaches Stadium.
With the victories, the Panthers handed the Redhawks their first series loss in Ohio Valley Conference play.
In game one, EIU loaded the bases with no outs and scored three runs to take an early lead in the bottom of the first. A double, single and walk helped put Panthers at every base before Ryan Knernschield knocked in two runs on a base hit to center. Trey Sweeney touched home for the other run giving the Panthers a 3-0 advantage.
SEMO started the third inning with four-straight hits and scored two runs to make it a one-run game.
Lincoln Andrews,
Connor Basler and
Jevon Mason singled to load the bases. On the next play,
Danny Wright ripped a single through the right side scoring both Basler and Andrews to close EIU's lead to 3-2.
After adding a run in both the third and fourth innings, the Panthers blew the game open with three runs in the sixth. A two-RBI double by Lucas DiLuca keyed the sixth inning as EIU extended its lead to 8-2. The Panthers then polished off their win with one final run in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Cameron Doherty (3-0) struck out nine and allowed just two runs. Doherty also did not give up a walk, scattered nine hits and tossed six scoreless innings.
Freshman
Kyle Miller (2-2) took the loss. Miller gave up four runs, four hits, struck out one and walked four in 2.2 innings.
SEMO registered 11 hits with eight of its starters getting a hit. Mason, Andrews and Basler paved the way with two apiece, while Wright,
Tyler Wilber,
Andrew Keck,
Austin Blazevic and
Peyton Leeper also added a hit.
The Redhawks held a 4-0 lead after two innings in the nightcap, but went scoreless for the final seven innings.
EIU scored once in the second and twice in the third to pull to within a run before using a five-run fourth inning to pull away for good.
Mason went 3-for-5 with one RBI, while Blazevic and
Brett Graber both added two hits. SEMO and EIU each finished with 11 hits in game two.
Alex Stevenson (1-2) picked up the win in relief. Stevenson struck out three in 3.2 shutout innings before Foster Anshutz took over from there. Anshutz added four shutout innings with three strikeouts to get his second save of the season.
Noah Niznik (1-2) fell to his second loss of the season after giving up seven runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out one in 3.1 innings.
SEMO hosts Missouri State on Mar. 30. First pitch is set for 5 p.m., CT at Capaha Field.
