The Gamecocks (21-13, 6-5 OVC) took the nightcap, 13-3, to end the 29th-ranked Panthers' 10-game home win streak.

Eastern (27-7, 10-2 OVC) had the bases loaded with no outs in the ninth inning of game one, but it took a clutch hit from Kreke to win the contest. With a 2-and-2 count, the senior lined a pitch from Mitch Miller (0-1) between the first and second baseman to plate Bart Thyer and setoff a celebration amongst the large crowd on hand for the reunion weekend festivities.

 

Jordan Tokarz posted his first career five-hit game in the opener, homering twice for the second game in a row. His second solo shot gave EIU a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh. Ben Thoma also hit a two-run homer in the first inning.

 

The Panthers took an early 2-0 lead in the nightcap on solo homers by Richie Derbak and Zach Borenstein, but Jax State scored multiple runs in each of the final four innings.

Derbak (4-2) also earned the win in game one with two innings of scoreless relief. He knocked in the game-tying run with a pinch hit single in the sixth as well.

 

The top six hitters in the JSU lineup feasted on EIU pitching in the nightcap, going a combined 13-for-26 with 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored. Kyle Bluestein, Steven Leach and Sam Eberle each hit a home run.

 

Austin Lucas (4-1) worked his second complete game of the season in game two, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out six.

Josh Mueller struck out six thru 5 2/3 in game one, but got into trouble in the sixth inning. The Gamecocks put up a five-spot in the frame to take the lead. Only three of the six runs Mueller allowed were earned.

 

Tyler Kehrer (3-3) cruised through the first three innings in the nightcap, but allowed eight of the 12 batters he faced to reach in the fourth and fifth frames.

Ryan Lindquist had a big two-out, run-scoring double to tie game two at 3-3 in the bottom of the fourth. Kreke scored from first base on the gapper to right center. But JSU quickly responded and knocked around the EIU bullpen.

 

Eastern scored four times in bottom of the first inning of game one, posting an early lead and revving up the crowd. Jax State finally reversed the momentum with a five-run sixth. Jake Sharrock delivered the key hit of the inning, a two-out, two-run single up the middle that chased Mueller.

 

Trailing 6-5 entering the bottom of the frame, the Panthers quickly responded against JSU relief ace Jordan Beistline. Pinch hitter Jake Samuels led off with a double down the right field line and scored on Derbak's single past Eberle at third base.

 

After Tokarz had put EIU ahead with his 11th homer of the season in the seventh, Jax State tied the game again on Todd Cunningham's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right in the top of the next inning.

 

Lindquist and Skidmore both made key defensive plays in support of Derbak in the eighth. Lindquist made an impressive leaping catch at the fence in center to rob Eberle of a potential extra-base hit. After Cunningham's sac fly, JSU still had runners on the corners. Skidmore knocked down a short-hop grounder to third and threw across to retire Blake Seaguin and end the inning.

 

Thyer opened the ninth with a single up the middle and Zach Borenstein drew a walk while trying to execute a sacrifice bunt. Tokarz got his bunt down and was safe on a bang-bang play at first. Miller got Skidmore and Samuels to foul out, but was unable to retire Kreke with two outs.

 

Borenstein also walked to begin the bottom of the first. Tokarz followed with a double down the right field line. Skidmore then plated Borenstein with a sac fly to center. Alex Gee kept the rally going and picked up an RBI with an infield single. With two outs, Thoma went deep to left for his seventh homer of the season.

JSU ace Ben Tootle (3-1), who was expected to pitch game two, will instead start Sunday's 1 p.m. rubber game. The Panthers will counter with emerging ace Mike Recchia (6-0).

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID