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INDIANAPOLIS – Eastern Illinois doubled up Butler in the hits column on Tuesday afternoon but the Panthers could not deliver the big hit as they lost 4-3 to the Bulldogs in a non-conference game.  EIU will wrap up the 2015 season this Thursday through Saturday with an Ohio Valley Conference series at SIU Edwardsville.
 
The Panthers scored in the first with Caleb Howell delivering the first of his two hits, an RBI single to left center.  The senior outfielder improved his season batting average to .405 with a 2-for-4 day at the plate.
 
Butler tied the game in the second and took the lead in the third.  The Bulldogs scored in the second with Michael Fries hitting a sacrifice fly to center.  Ryan Wojciechowski scored after leading off the second with a double.  He was one of six Butler players with one hit at EIU had a 12-6 hits advantage.  Drew Small had an RBI triple in third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Houston.
 
EIU scored in the fourth as Matt Dunavant had an RBI single through the left side.  Dunavant started at designated hitter as both teams played many of their reserves.
 
"I played many of the non-starters to give them some at-bats," said head coach Jim Schmitz.  "We just didn't get the big hit today."
 
EIU took advantage of the game's only error to tie the game in the eighth inning.  Cale Hennemann reached on a throwing error that allowed Alex Cain to come around to score.  Cain was 2-for-4 in the game joining Howell, Mitch Gasbarro (2-for-4) and Joseph Duncan (3-for-5) as Panthers with multiple base hits.
 
Butler was able to manufacture the game winning run in the bottom of the eighth as EIU relief pitcher Chase Thurston (2-2) picked up the loss.  Cole Malloy loaded the bases with a bunt single and the Bulldogs scored their third run of the game on a sacrifice fly as Garrett Christman flied out to center to score Gehrig Parker. 
 
Luke Johnson (3-0) picked up the win after pitching the eighth inning.  Danny Pobereyko pitched the ninth for his fifth save of the season.
 
EIU fell to 12-34.  Butler improved to 21-29.