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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Junior Nick Priessman and redshirt-senior Ben Thoma combined to go 3-for-9 with seven RBI, three runs and two homers to lead the Panther baseball team to a senior day victory over UT Martin on Sunday afternoon at Coaches Stadium. EIU improves to 24-25 (14-9 OVC) on the year.
 
“Coaches worry sometimes about senior day as they want to play all of the seniors and want them to play well,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “I don't know if today could have been more perfect with the way our seniors performed this afternoon to help us win the series.”
 
Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the third inning, the Panthers scored three runs on four hits to take a 4-2 advantage. All three runs were scored with two-outs in the inning.
 
Matt Young got the Skyhawks within one (4-3) in the top of the fifth before EIU scored six runs in the bottom of the frame, making the score 10-3. A solo home run by Priessman scored the first run before Thoma drove in four runs with a grand slam. David Ciaglia followed Thoma with a solo homer over the left-field fence for the final run of the inning.
 
EIU added three more insurance runs in the seventh, scoring three runs on two hits to take a 13-3 advantage. A solo home run in the eighth inning by Chase Okey pulled UT Martin within nine (13-4) to add the final run of the game for the Skyhawks.
 
EIU had four more hits (12-8) than UT Martin while neither team committed an error in the contest. Both squads left six runners on base.
 
Priessman paced the Panther offense as he was 2-for-5 with three RBI, two runs, a homer and a double. Thoma added four RBI while Ryan Dineen scored a game-high three runs. Caleb Howell chipped in two RBI and two hits.
 
Christian Slazinik (6-5) picked up the win for EIU, striking out six while surrendering five hits and three runs in six innings of action. Matt Borens, Adam Clark and Scott Houdek all pitched one inning out of the bullpen to conclude the game and combined to only allow three hits and one run.
 
Willie Frederick (3-8) was tagged with the loss for UT Martin as he allowed five runs and six hits in four innings of action. Okey led the Skyhawks at the plate as he went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run.
 
The Panthers return to action in their home finale on Tuesday, May 15 when they play host to in-state foe Bradley at noon.