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WINTER HAVEN, Fla.  – The Panther baseball team was shutout for the fourth time this season, dropping 1-0 contest to Big Ten member Northwestern on Friday morning at Chain of Lakes Park. EIU falls to 6-11 on the year.
 
“The little things are hurting us right now,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Our pitching and defense did well all week, but we are not executing at the plate. When we can't execute bunts, sacrifices and hit and runs, we can't win games.”
 
Northwestern scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on a Jack Havey sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Zach Morton to give the Wildcats the 1-0 advantage.
 
Christian Slazinik (3-2) took the loss for the Panthers, only surrendering one run while striking out six batters in seven innings of work. Keith Koser allowed two hits and did not allow any runs in the final inning for EIU.
 
Francis Brooke (1-1) picked up the win for Northwestern, striking out three and not surrendering any runs in seven innings. Kyle Ruchim posted his fourth save of the year for the Wildcats as he struck out two Panther batters in the final inning of play.
 
The Wildcats recorded two more hits (9-7) than the Panthers and left one less runner on base (9-8). Northwestern committed one error in the game while EIU did not have any miscues.
 
Offensively for EIU, T.J. McManus and Brant Valach both had two hits in the loss. Paul Snieder paced Northwestern at the plate, going 3-for-4.
 
The Panthers return to action on Tuesday, March 20 at in-state rival Southern Illinois. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.