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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Eastern Illinois baseball team concluded its seven game spring break trip with an 11-7 loss at Memphis on Sunday afternoon at FedExPark.

The Tigers (11-6) scored three runs in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead before the Panthers (3-12) got within two (3-1) on Ben Thoma solo home run in the second inning.

Memphis again pushed its lead to three (4-1) on a Drew Martinez sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second.

EIU tied the game at four in the top of fourth inning on a Shawn Ferguson RBI single to center field and a two-RBI single to left field off the bat of Daniel Rowe.

“We got down early and fought back so I was proud how we got back and tied the game,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Some of our arms weren't as sharp today and that put us in a hole.”

The Tigers tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the fifth, taking an 8-4 lead over the Panthers. EIU eventually cut their deficit to three (8-5) on a Jake Samuels homer in the top of the sixth inning.

Memphis added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth to take their largest lead of the game, 11-5. EIU fought back in the top of the ninth by scoring two runs on RBI doubles by Zach Borenstein and #T.J. McManus#, but the rally fell short as the Panthers dropped their final game of the of the series with Memphis.

Both squads committed two errors in the contest and recorded 13 hits.

Samuels led the Panthers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Thoma was 3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI. Rowe finished the day with two hits and two RBIs.

Adam Clark (0-3) took the loss for the Panthers, surrendering four hits and one run in 1.2 innings of work. Christian Slazinik started the game, allowing four runs and five hits in three innings.

Clayton Grant (3-1) recorded the win, surrendering five runs and not allowing a walk in six innings of action. J.D. Wallace led the Tigers at the plate as the catcher went 3-for-4 with three RBIs.

“I was happy with how we turned it around at the end,” said Schmitz on the seven games EIU played in the last 10 days. “We faced tough competition and we got better towards the end. I am pleased with how we fielded the ball and am pleased with how some of our guys are swinging the bats better. Hopefully it gives us some momentum heading into our home games this week.”

The Panthers play their next six games at home, including their home opener on Tuesday, March 22 at 2 p.m. against Chicago State.