Three-Game Series Stats (PDF)

MARTIN, Tenn. – Eastern Illinois earned a hard-fought Saturday split at Ohio Valley Conference leader UT Martin as the Panthers won a crucial 9-4 nightcap after dropping the first game, 5-1.  The split improves EIU to 25-23 overall and 15-9 in league play.

Sophomore Morgan Biel had a fine day at the plate, leading all Panthes with a 4-for-6 performance in the twinbill, which included a double and RBI.

Seven additional Panthers added their own RBI in the doubleheader with sophomore Carly Willert adding a triple and tied junior Melise Brown with a 2-for-7 day.  Brown also led all baserunners with a 2-for-3 stolen base mark.

Sophomore pitcher Stephanie Maday went 1-1, earning the second game win to improve to 15-12 overall as she registered six strikeouts, eight walks and a 3.39 twinbill ERA.

In both contests, the Panthers jumped out the early lead, as Brown's RBI single scored Kaylie Pruett in the top of the third inning to open game one.

Unfortunately the host Skyhawks (34-17/21-4) would score five runs in their half of the fifth frame to earn the first game victory and pull closer to earning the regular-season title.

In the nightcap, however, the Panthers not only jumped out to an early lead, but enjoyed a 6-1 advantage through five-innings.

EIU plated four runs in the opening frame alone thanks to five hits and three UTM miscues, yet could have easily scored more as the Panthes ended each inning with bases loaded.

The Skyhawks would pull to within two runs, however, with a three-run sixth, but Eastern countered with three additional scores in the top of the seventh to force a series deciding third game on Sunday.

Quick look at team stats showed that EIU led the home squad in runs (ten to nine), at-bats (56 to 49) and stolen bases (two to one).

UTM topped the Panthers for doubles (two to one), RBI (nine to eight) , walks (12 to five), strikeouts (nine to seven), and double plays turned (three to two).  Both squads finished the day with 13 hits.

Eastern and UT Martin will battle it out in the 1 p.m. rubber game on Sunday afternoon to decide who will earn the regular-season series between the two conference foes.

... for more info, contact Bart Rettberg, Asst. SID