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NASHVILLE - Bobby Wenthe capped a four-run first inning with a three run home run which was enough offense for Eastern Illinois as the Panthers won 8-2 over Belmont on Saturday afternoon to clinch the weekend series.  The final game is Sunday at 1 p.m at Rose Park.

Jake Johansmeier (1-4) used the four run lead to his advantage as he scattered seven hits allowing one earned run in seven innings picking up his first win of the year.  Luke Dietz closed the final two innings for his first save.

Brant Valach drove home the Panthers first run of the game.  Wenthe then hit a home run for the third time in the last four games.  All four runs were unearned as EIU took advantage of an early Bruins error.  Belmont starter Aaron Quillen (4-3) worked seven innings allowing only those four unearned runs.

Belmont scored single runs in the second and fourth innings with both produced by sacrifice flys.  Kyle Conger drove home the run in the second, Desi Ammons the run the fourth.

EIU tacked on four insurance runs in the final two innings with Caleb Howell driving home two runs in the ninth.  Howell, Wenthe and Valach all went 2-for-4 for the Panthers.  Adam Casson led EIU with a 3-for-4 day at the plate.

Alec Diamond, Tyler Walsh and William Dodd had two hits for Belmont.

EIU improved to 7-26, 4-13 in the OVC as the Panthers won their fourth straight game.  Belmont dropped to 20-17, 9-7 in the OVC.