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HAMMOND, La. – A late-inning rally fell short for the Eastern Illinois baseball team on Sunday afternoon as they lost 1-0 in the final game of the series at Southeastern Louisiana. EIU falls to 1-4 on the year after being swept by the Lions on the weekend.
 
“The team did a great job of overcoming adversity this weekend after Friday night's loss,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Our defense played well, but we were a little behind offensively. Overall, I was proud of how they battled and responded to some difficult situations this weekend.” 

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the ninth, Ryan Dineen gave the Panthers a base runner as he was walked with one out in the inning. Following a Ben Thoma single up the middle that moved Dineen to third base, T.J. McManus grounded out to the catcher trying to lay down a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore catcher Jacob Reese struck out on the next play to end the Panther rally.
 
Southeastern Louisiana scored the lone run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth on a Harry Slade RBI single to left field to score Brock Hebert. The Lions only need one run to remain undefeated this season with a 7-0 record.
 
The Lions posted one more hit (5-4) than the Panthers on the day while EIU committed one more error (1-0) than Southeastern Louisiana. The Panthers left six runners on base and the Lions stranded nine.
 
Four EIU players recorded a hit in Dineen, Caleb Howell, Thoma and Reese.
 
In his first career start, Andrew Grahn (0-1) took the loss for EIU on the mound. The Louisville, Ill., native allowed three hits and one earned run in five innings of work. He also had two strikeouts. Adam Clark, Keith Koser and Darin Worman combined to throw three strikeouts and surrender two hits in three scoreless innings to close the game.
 
Josh Janway (1-0) picked up his first win of the year for Southeastern Louisiana, pitching 7.2 scoreless innings. He posted seven strikeouts to only one walk while only allowing three hits. Stefan Lopez picked up his fourth save of the year and second in as many games.
 
The Panthers return to action in a midweek contest at No. 16 Louisville on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m. The Cardinals are 6-1 on the year.  

“The key to us knocking off Louisville on Tuesday is to have the guys jump on the fastballs early,” said Schmitz. “They have a guy who is going to be throwing 92 mph at us and we need to get ahead on those at the plate.”