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MATTOON, Ill. – Ben Thoma hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to lead the Eastern Illinois baseball team over Big Ten foe Illinois on Tuesday evening at Grimes Field in front of 1,331 fans.

“I thought he was going to pitch around me with first base open, but he gave me a pitch to hit and I took advantage of it,” said Thoma. “McNeil came in and shut them down after that so give credit to our bullpen tonight.”

The Fighting Illini (11-16) took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a Brandon Hohl solo home run to left field.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, the Panthers (10-19) posted back-to-back singles by Zach Borenstein and Cam Strang to set up an RBI double by T.J. McManus to tie the game at one. Bill Barrett relieved starter Lee Zerrusen before Thoma hit the three-run homer to give EIU the 4-1 advantage.

“The base hit by Cam Strang set us up for the big inning,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We did the little things to get guys on base and that helped us win.”

Freshman RHP Joe Greenfield pitched the first five innings of the game in only his second career start, surrendering only four hits and one run.

“Our pitching was great,” said Schmitz. “(Joe) Greenfield was good. When he gets the ball down he pitches well.”

Senior Brent McNeil posted his first win of the season, throwing a career-high seven strikeouts in four innings of work. The Lafayette, Ind., native did not allow a hit while only walking one batter.

“His last outing wasn't too impressive,” said Schmitz on McNeil's performance. “We told him before the game he was going to be the first guy out of the bullpen. He really went after their batters tonight and did great.”

The Panthers posted two more hits (6-4) than the Illini and committed three more errors (3-0). EIU left one less runner on base (4-3) in the win.

Borenstein and Strang both were 2-for-4 with one run for EIU while Thoma was 1-for-4 with three RBIs and a run.

Zerrusen (0-1) took the loss for Illinois, allowing three runs and four hits in 5.1 innings.

The Panthers return to action on Wednesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. against Illinois College at Coaches Stadium.