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RICHMOND, Ky. – Steve Ferraro hit a walk-off home run in the 11^th inning, lifting the Eastern Kentucky baseball team over Eastern Illinois on Friday afternoon at Turkey Hughes Field to take game one of the weekend Ohio Valley Conference series. EIU falls to 13-18 (4-5 OVC) on the year.
 
With the game knotted at three heading into the 11^th inning, the Panthers took a one-run lead in the top of the inning on a two-out, bases loaded RBI fielder's choice by Caleb Howell. EKU tied the game at four in the bottom of the frame on a throwing error by second baseman Tyler Schweigert before Ferraro hit the game winner over the left-field fence.
 
T.J. McManus gave the Panthers an early 1-0 advantage in the second inning on a solo home run before Sean Hagen tied the contest for EKU in the fifth inning on an RBI single. McManus hit an RBI single in the top of the next inning, making the score 2-1 before EIU pushed its lead to two (3-1) in the eight inning on an RBI single by Jacob Reese.
 
The Colonels eventually tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, scoring two runs on one hit.
 
EKU posted three more hits (13-10) than EIU and committed one fewer error (2-1). The Panthers left eight runners on base in the contest to nine stranded runners by the Colonels.
 
McManus led the Panthers at the plate, going 4-for-5 with two RBI and two runs. Brant Valach also added two hits on the day.
 
Troy Barton (4-4) took the loss for EIU, allowing two hits and two runs in 0.1 innings of work. Mike Hoekstra made the start on the mound and went 8.1 innings with nine strikeouts to only one walk. The Lansing, Ill., native surrendered 11 hits and three runs.
 
Matt Fyffe (5-0) picked up the win for EKU, striking out six and only allowing two hits in the game's final 3.1 innings. Matt Harris made the start and went 7.2 innings while surrendering eight hits and three runs. Offensively, Richie Rodriguez led the team at the plate as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
 
The second game of the series is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14.