Box Score

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CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team got on the scoreboard early for the second consecutive game as they held on for a 7-5 win over Belmont on Saturday afternoon at Coaches Stadium.
 
Prior to the start of the game, head coach Jim Schmitz was recognized for his 500^th win as the EIU head coach – capturing the win earlier this season. The recognition was a part of a pregame ceremony celebrating his 20^th season as the head coach.
 
The Panthers (14-28, 8-12 OVC) have now scored 17 runs in two games against the Bruins (18-24, 8-12 OVC) this weekend with 16 of those runs coming in the first three innings of play.
 
"We were able to get up early again against Belmont," said Schmitz. "Scoring seven runs early in an OVC game is huge as it takes a lot of pressure off our pitchers."
 
Tyler Walsh gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning with an infield RBI single before the Panthers tied the game in the bottom of the frame when Tyler Schweigert crossed home plate on a Bruins' throwing error.
 
The Panthers took a 7-1 advantage in the third inning, scoring six runs on eight hits and one error. Demetre Taylor drove in the first two runs with a double to left center before Cameron Berra drove in the third run with a single to right field. A two-RBI triple by Frankie Perrone scored the next two runs before he scored the final run of the inning on the next at bat on a Jacob Reese RBI single.
 
Belmont added one run in the fourth inning and three runs in the sixth inning to get within two (7-5) before Troy Barton entered the game to close the door on a potential comeback. The senior closer threw five strikeouts in three scoreless innings of relief while only allowing one hit as he earned his fifth save of the year.
 
"Troy (Barton) was outstanding on the mound today," added Schmitz. "It's great to have an experienced guy on the mound to close games for us."
 
Jake Johansmeier (3-3) earned the win for EIU, striking out four with five walks in 5.2 innings of action. The sophomore pitcher allowed seven hits and four runs.
 
James Buckelew (4-5) was tagged with the loss, surrendering eight hits and seven runs (five earned) in 2.1 innings of action. Chase Cunningham posted three strikeouts with one walk in 5.2 scoreless innings of relief while only allowing two hits.
 
Belmont had one more hit (11-10) than EIU and committed three more errors (4-1). The Bruins also left five more runners on base (12-7).
 
Taylor led the Panther offense as he went 2-for-4 with two RBI. Berra added two hits, a run and a RBI while Caleb Howell went 2-for-5 with a run.
 
Matt Beaty paced the Bruins offense as the junior infielder went 2-for-5 with three RBI. Jamie Ritchie added three hits while Walsh finished the day going 2-for-4 with two RBI.
 
The series finale has been moved up an hour to a noon start on Sunday, April 27 to avoid potential rain in the Coles County area.