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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Eastern Illinois baseball team dropped the final game of the weekend series with Alabama, 5-0, on Sunday afternoon at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. 

"We had another tough loss today,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Christian (Slazinik) was really sharp pitching and kept us in the game.”

The Panthers (1-10) trailed early after the Crimson Tide (11-5) scored in the bottom of the first inning and the third inning, taking a 2-0 lead. Alabama added three more runs in the sixth inning to take a 5-0 advantage.

EIU only collected four hits in the contest to Alabama's 12. Jake Samuels paced the team at the plate, going 2-for-3. Zach Borenstein and Daniel Rowe both chipped in a hit.

“As far as swinging the bats, I was really happy,” said Schmitz. “We were really hitting the ball hard today. We just aren't finding ways to get guys across the plate.” 

Christian Slazinik (0-3) took the loss for the Panthers, allowing seven hits and four earned runs in 5.1 innings of work. Brent McNeil and Matt Miller combined to throw 2.2 innings of relief work, surrendering five hits and walking one. 

Taylor Dugas led Alabama at the plate as he went 2-for-4 with a run and RBI while Jared Reaves went 2-for-3 with a run.

Tucker Hawley (3-1) recorded the win for Alabama, only allowing four hits and throwing three strikeouts in eight innings.

EIU returns to action on March 15 at Mississippi State. Game time is set for 6:30 p.m.