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 JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Panther baseball team dropped game two of the Ohio Valley Conference Series at Jacksonville State, 7-2, on Friday night at Rudy Abbott Field. EIU falls to 26-26 (15-10 OVC) on the year.
 
“We did not have a great day on defense tonight,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We haven't had a bad day defensively in a while, but we dug ourselves a hole by not making two routine plays in the first inning that led to three runs.
 
“Give credit to JSU as they came ready to play today. I thought their pitcher did well and did not miss any of his spots.”
 
A night after allowing a season-high 17 runs, the Gamecocks responded by scoring three runs on three hits and a Panther error in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 3-0 advantage. JSU eventually added four more runs over the next six innings to make the score 7-0.
 
In the top of the eighth inning, T.J. McManus hit a two-out, two-RBI double to cut the Panthers deficit to five (7-2). The Panthers were unable extend the rally in the next inning as they saw their seven-game OVC road win streak come to an end.
 
JSU had two more hits (10-8) than EIU and left two more runners on base (9-7). EIU had one error in the contest to zero miscues by the Gamecocks.

Caleb Howell led the Panther offense as he went 3-for-4 with a run. McManus added two RBI while Cameron Berra chipped in a hit and a run.
 
Troy Barton (8-5) took the loss for EIU, surrendering seven hits and five runs (four earned) in six innings of action. He also threw four strikeouts and issued four walks.
 
Daniel Watts (5-6) earned the win for JSU as the southpaw struck out six Panther batters in seven scoreless innings of work. Offensively, Kyle Bluestein led the Gamecocks as he went 2-for-4 with three RBI.
 
The series finale between EIU and JSU is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19.