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NATCHITOCHES, La. – Eastern Illinois baseball rallied for a two-run ninth inning to carry a lead into the bottom half of the frame, but four straight bases on balls allowed Northwestern State to record an 8-7 walk-off victory Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Brown-Stroud Field.

 

Alex Gee collected three hits, Jordan Kreke registered a trio of RBIs and Brett Nommensen scored three times.

 

With two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth, Kreke hit a chopper to shortstop that led to an infield single. Nommensen scored the go-ahead run from second base when the throw got away down the first base line.

 

But a one-out double ignited NSU's game-winning rally. The second of the four ninth-inning walks was an intentional pass. But both the tying and winning runs scored after the No. 4 and 5 hitters in the NSU lineup worked the count full.

 

Scott Foley (0-2) began the inning on the mound but departed in favor of Brian Morrell after the tying run scored.

 

Ben Thoma ignited EIU's two-run ninth with a pinch-hit single. Following a sacrifice bunt, a pair of walks were also a big part of the Panthers' scoring. Nommensen was intentionally passed and Skidmore won a full-count battle. After a pitching change, Kreke also went full before successfully putting the ball in play.

 

The Panthers (0-4) scored first by plating a pair of runs in the top of the fourth thanks to three straight hits from Nommensen, Skidmore and Gee. Skidmore delivered the key blow, a triple to right center.

 

However, Northwestern State (3-3) finally got to EIU starter Tristan Facer in its half of the inning, hitting a pair of two-run homers en route to a five-run frame. Facer had struck out five of the first 11 batters he faced when the inning began. But a walk preceded each of the homers he surrendered.

 

Tyler Brandon helped EIU get back into the game initially by striking out the first two batters he faced after replacing Facer with one out in the fourth. Eastern's lone active senior ended up working three inning of relief total, surrendering just one run while striking out four.

 

Eastern answered the big inning with two runs in the fifth, taking advantage of a two-out error. Kreke delivered a clutch double after Skidmore reached on a miscue by the second baseman and Gee beat out an infield single.

 

Besides the go-ahead run in the ninth, Nommensen also scored on Skidmore's triple and a two-out single from Gee in the seventh. That tally made it a one-run game heading into the ninth.

 

Ross Jeske retired five of the six batters he faced, two of outs coming via Ks.

 

Originally scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. first pitch, the game was delayed an hour and 40 minutes by a power outage. And with a ninth inning loaded with scoring, deep counts and pitching changes, the contest didn't end until 11:30.

Game two of the series is slated for 5 p.m. Saturday. Josh Mueller starts on the mound for EIU.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID