Game 1: BOX (PDF) | BOX (HTML)
Game 2: BOX (PDF) | BOX (HTML)

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The Eastern Illinois baseball team split a Saturday afternoon doubleheader with Austin Peay at Raymond C. Hand Park.

The Panthers (7-17, 3-2 OVC) took game one, 11-9, before faltering to the Governors (11-13, 2-2 OVC) in game two, 5-0.

With the game one victory, Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz now has 600 career head coaching victories in 24 seasons as a head coach. 

“I think back on some of the players and the fun I have had with the teams I have coached,” said Schmitz about winning his 600th game. “I have enjoyed my time at Eastern and it's a blessing for me and my family to have been at Eastern for 17 years.”

Game One: EIU 11, Austin Peay 9

The Panthers scored nine runs in the first three innings – including a six-run effort in the second inning – to take game one with the Governors, 11-9.

EIU took an early 1-0 lead in the first on a Shawn Ferguson RBI single to right field before adding six runs in the top of the next inning. Nick Priessman drove in the first run of the second inning on a RBI single followed by a grand slam by Ben Thoma to give EIU the 7-0 lead.

The Governors got within six (7-1) in the bottom of the second, but the Panther offense continued to produce runs as they pushed their lead to eight (9-1) in the top of the next inning. Austin Peay fought back to score three runs in the bottom of the third to make the score 9-4 in favor of the Panthers.

The fourth inning was the only inning of play where neither team scored a run. After the Panthers scored a run in the fifth to go up 10-4, Austin Peay cut its deficit to two (10-8) by scoring four runs over the next two innings.

EIU added an insurance run in the top of the eighth on an RBI single to left field by Ryan Dineen to take an 11-8 lead into the final inning of play. With one out in the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded, the Governors rallied back to score a run on a sacrifice fly, but EIU's Matt Miller was able to retire the final Austin Peay batter and post his third save of the season.

Both teams had 17 hits in the game while Austin Peay committed two more errors (3-1) than the Panthers. EIU only had one hit go for extra bases in the victory. 

“I like what Priessman did for us today with bunting,” said Schmitz. “I went with a smaller, quicker lineup today with the wind blowing in. The lineup gave us the best chance to put the ball in play and gave us a chance to win.”

Thoma paced the Panthers at the plate, going 2-for-5 with four RBIs and a run. Zach Borenstein and Brad Schweigert both added three hits and two runs. Every player who batted for EIU had a hit in the game.

Mike Hoekstra (3-2) recorded the win, surrendering seven hits in 5.2 innings of work. The Lansing, Ill., native did not have any walks or strikeouts.

Jeremy Dobbs (5-1) lost his first game of the season as he allowed eight earned runs and 14 hits in six innings. Tyler Childress paced the Governors at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. John Hogan added a game-high four hits.

Game Two: Austin Peay 5, EIU 0

The Governors scored in all but one inning to drop the Panthers, 5-0, in game two of the doubleheader.

EIU was out hit by seven (13-6) in the loss and did not have any base runners reach third base. The Panthers committed a season-high four errors to only one miscue committed by Austin Peay. EIU also left six runners on base to the Governors eight stranded base runners.

Cameron Berra paced the EIU offense, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Borenstein, Dineen, Ferguson and Priessman all added a hit in the loss.

Luke Bushur (2-3) took the loss, surrendering seven hits and allowing three earned runs. The freshman walked two and struck out three.

Jack Snodgrass (1-3) picked up his first win of the year, striking out three and only giving up five hits in six innings. Mike Hebert closed out the final inning, surrendering one hit while striking out one.

Michael Blanchard led the Austin Peay offense as he was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run and an RBI. Eight different Governors had an RBI.

The final game of the weekend series is slated to start at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 3. 

“Our pitching wasn't sharp and we let it get out of hand at times today,” said Schmitz. “Overall, I was happy with a split today and hopefully we can get win tomorrow.”