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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For the second consecutive game, a Panther pitcher posted a complete game performance as Joe Greenfield led the Eastern Illinois baseball team to a 3-1 victory at Belmont on Saturday at E.S. Rose Park. The win marked the Panthers first Ohio Valley Conference road win of the season.
 
Greenfield (2-5) posted his third complete game of the year, striking out seven batters with no walks. The Orland Park, Ill., native only allowed six hits and one run. He went the game's first 5.2 innings before surrendering a hit.
 
“Joe Greenfield was outstanding today,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “The offense also did the little things to win the game.”
 
For the second time in as many games, the Panthers (16-23, 6-13 OVC) scored in the first inning to take an early lead. Treysen Vavra hit a two-RBI double down the left-field line before Cameron Berra drove Vavra home on a sacrifice fly three plays later for the 3-0 advantage.
 
Belmont (29-12, 15-5 OVC) posted four of its six hits in the game in the eighth inning to start a comeback. With the bases load and no outs, Drew Ferguson hit an RBI single to make the score 3-1. Greenfield retired the final three batters to end the rally, including two batters via strikeout.
 
Belmont had three more hits (6-3) than EIU and committed one more error (1-0). EIU left two more runners on base (8-6) than Belmont in the contest.
 
Vavra went 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run to pace the Panther offense. Caleb Howell and Dane Sauer both added a hit and a run.
 
James Buckelew (3-4) took the loss for Belmont, allowing three hits and three runs in eight innings of work. He also had three strikeouts with four walks. Spencer Petett led the Bruins offense as he went 2-for-4 with a run.
 
The series finale is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28.