NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont scored six times in the bottom of the eighth inning, overcoming a five-run deficit and defeating Eastern Illinois baseball, 8-7, Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers (0-5) had opened up a 7-2 lead entering the bottom of the eighth thanks in part to a five-run sixth. But Belmont (5-0) scored six times on three hits, including a two-run homer, five walks and a pair of EIU errors in the eighth, sending 11 men to the plate.

 

Eastern put the potential tying run on base in the ninth inning but was unable to extend the game. Each of the last five EIU-Belmont games dating back to a three-game set in 2007 have been one-run affairs.

Mike Recchia bounced back from a tough season-opening start with five innings of two-run ball. He gave up only two singles and one walk. Unfortunately, all three batters reached in the third inning when the Bruins managed to score both runs.

Daniel Rowe and Zach Borenstein were both 2-for-4. Rowe hit his first career home run, a solo shot in the fifth inning, to account for EIU's first run of the day. Rich Ruff also connected for a solo homer, his first as a Panther, with two outs in the seventh.

 

Borenstein delivered a two-out, three-run double in the sixth and also stole three bases.

 

Brian Hannig and Dillon Roark (0-1) were both unable to record an out in the eighth inning. Hannig issued a walk and gave up a base hit to the two batters he faced. Roark also walked the first batter he faced and then was not helped out by the EIU defense. Shortstop Cam Strang and center fielder Nick Priessman were both charged with errors on a ball hit by pinch hitter Judah Akers with the bases loaded. Two runs scored on the play, making it a one-run game. Pinch hitter Adam Cellini followed with a game-tying base hit to center field.

 

Matt Miller replaced Roark on the mound and walked the first two batters he faced. With the bases loaded and one out, Dylan Craig plated Akers as the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly to center.

 

Mike Hoekstra, the first man out of the EIU bullpen, allowed the leadoff man to reach in each of the three innings he started. He was able to pitch over inning-opening singles in the sixth and seventh. But in the eighth Nate Woods hit a two-run homer after a leadoff walk to Craig. It was his second longball of the series.

 

Eastern capitalized on four walks in its five-run sixth inning. Richie Derbak led off with an infield single and George Kalousek followed with a base on balls. Ruff moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunts. After a strikeout, Curt Restko drew the first of three consecutive walks. With the bases loaded, Rowe and Strang also drew walks to force in runs. Borenstein then delivered the big blow of the inning with a bases-clearing double.

The series finale Sunday is slated for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Brent McNeil is expected to start on the mound for EIU.