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HAMMOND, La.  – The Panther baseball team dropped the second game of its series at Southeastern Louisiana, 4-3, on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. EIU falls to 1-3 on the year while SE Louisiana improves to 6-0.
 
Trailing 3-0 heading into the top of the fifth inning, the Panthers tied up the game on three runs and four hits. Jacob Reese scored EIU's first run on a Nick Priessman RBI single to right field before Caleb Howell added the second run on a Ryan Dineen RBI single to left field. The final run of the inning was scored on a Ben Thoma RBI single.
 
In the bottom of the frame, the Lions scored the eventual game-winning run on a Jonathan Pace RBI single to put Southeastern Louisiana ahead, 4-3.
 
EIU recorded two more hits (7-5) than the Lions in the loss, but committed two more errors (3-1). The Panthers left eight runners on base while the Lions stranded five.
 
T.J. McManus paced the Panthers at the plate as he was 2-for-4. Dineen, Priessman and Thoma all added an RBI in the loss.
 
Pace led the Lions as he went 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and an RBI. Jacob Fisher also drove in a game-high two RBI.
 
Mike Hoekstra (0-1) took the loss for EIU, surrendering four hits and four runs (two earned) in 6.2 innings of work. The Lansing, Ill., native struck out two while walking one. Darin Worman pitched the final 1.1 innings and only allowed one hit.
 
Dylan Hills (3-0) recorded the win, striking out four batters and not allowing any runs in 2.1 innings of relief. Jordan Hymel got the start and went 4.2 innings before being taken out of the game. Stefan Lopez picked up his third save of the year for Southeastern Louisiana, striking out one and not surrendering a run in the final inning.
 
The Panthers close the series at Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.