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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The Panther baseball team concluded Dunn Hospitality Diamond Classic action on Sunday with a 5-1 loss to tournament host Evansville. EIU drops to 4-5 on the year.

“Our goal was to come into the weekend and keep the momentum going after the win at Louisville and we did that with two impressive wins Saturday,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We did well in all phases of the game yesterday but we didn't do any of that this afternoon. We didn't pitch too well and had some bad defensive plays.
 
“I was pleased with Saturday's performance, but we are going to need to work on closing out weekends.” 
 
The Panthers got on the scoreboard first when Ryan Dineen hit an RBI double down the right-field line in the top of the first inning, scoring Caleb Howell to make the score 1-0. It would be the only run the Panthers would score for the duration of the game.
 
The Purple Aces took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second on a Jake Mahon two RBI single up the middle. Evansville would add another run in the fourth to make the score 3-1 before scoring one run in each the seventh and eighth innings, taking a 5-1 advantage over the Panthers.
 
David Ciaglia went 3-for-4 at the plate to pace the Panthers while Dineen added two hits and EIU's lone RBI.
 
Evansville collected four more hits (10-6) than EIU and had one less error (1-0). The Purple Aces left 10 runners on base while the Panthers left six runners stranded.
 
Troy Barton (1-1) took the loss for EIU, surrendering six hits and three runs (three earned) in 3.1 innings of work. The Libertyville, Ill., also walked two batters and threw two strikeouts.
 
Kyle Freeland (1-1) picked up the win, striking out four and only allowing one run in seven innings. Mahon led the Purple Aces offense as he was 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI.
 
The Panthers return to action in a midweek contest at Indiana State on Tuesday, March 6. First pitch is schedule for 2 p.m. CST at Bob Warn Field.