LAKELAND, Fla. – Ben Thoma and Brett Nommensen recorded consecutive run-scoring hits in the bottom of the eighth inning, delivering in the clutch during the four-run rally that lifted Eastern Illinois baseball to a 6-3 win against Indiana Tuesday morning.

 

The Panthers (10-4) have won four straight and eight of their last 10.

Thoma singled home the tying run with an 0-and-2 count as a pinch hitter with one out in the eighth. Nommensen followed with a two-run triple down the left field line.

Jordan Kreke (1-0) earned his first career win with 2 1/3 innings of one-run relief.

 

Eastern tied its season high with 18 hits, registering 15-plus for the fifth time in the last six games and reaching the double-figure benchmark for the 11th straight contest. The Panthers recorded at least one hit in every inning in which they batted, but left nine runners on base in the win. Indiana (6-10) turned three double plays and also threw out a runner at home.

Nommensen hit his team-leading sixth home run of the season, going deep for the fourth time in the last five games. His opposite-field homer in the fifth tied the game at 2-2. He finished only a double shy of the cycle and posted his fifth straight multi-hit game.

Richie Derbak (12) and Curt Restko (10) both extended their career-best hitting streaks. Zach Borenstein and Restko joined Nommensen with three hits. They also ignited the eighth-inning rally from the bottom third of the lineup.

 

“It very early game and we didn't help ourselves by hitting into multiple double plays,” EIU head coach Jim Schmitz said. “We haven't had a comeback win in a while. It's important to learn how to comeback. We hung in there and got a break the last inning, a walk and the big hit from Thoma.”

 

Brian Morrell pitched five innings of five-hit ball in his best outing of the season. He struck out six and did not issue a walk. Only one of the two runs he allowed was earned.

 

“Morrell did a great job,” Schmitz said. “We need Brian Morrell and everybody knows it. He pitched extremely well, especially the last few innings. And Kreke has been great. He gives us another arm that we need at the end of games. The pitching was outstanding again and it was a good comeback.”

 

The Panthers trailed 3-2 entering the bottom of the eighth. Borenstein singled to center with one out. Ryan Lindquist took over as a pinch runner before Restko drew EIU's first non-intentional walk of the day. Thoma was sent up to pinch hit for Gerik Wallsten. After falling behind in the count 0-and-2 on a borderline strike on the inside corner, Thoma singled through the left side to tie the game.

 

With runners on first and second, Indiana chose to pitch to Nommensen. After Restko had scored easily on the triple, Thoma slipped rounding third base. With Nommensen already on his way to the bag, Thoma had to try and score. The throw got by the IU catcher and Thoma's run put EIU up 5-3.

 

Cam Strang followed with an infield single up the middle, plating Nommensen.

 

Three straight two-out hits by Borenstein, Restko and Wallsten led to EIU's first run of the game in the second inning. Nommensen later went deep to leadoff the fifth.

 

The Hoosiers scored their runs on a two-out single in the third inning, and solo homers in the third and eighth.

 

Matt Miller worked and an inning and two-thirds of one-hit relief to serve as the bridge between Morrell and Kreke.

 

Indiana starter Chris Squires (1-1) surrendered all 18 EIU hits over 7 1/3 innings. He gave way to the bullpen after Strang's hit in the eighth.

The Panthers close out their stay in Florida Wednesday with an 8:30 a.m. game against Bradley at the Chain O'Lakes Park in Winter Haven. Mike Martin is expected to start on the mound for EIU.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID