Box Score | Photo Gallery (By Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – A return to Coaches Stadium was just what the Eastern Illinois baseball team needed. Playing in front of the home crowd for the first time in the 2016 season, the Panthers offense pounded out 13 hits, and defeated Robert Morris-Peoria 14-0 on Tuesday. The Panthers will continue their home stand as they play host to OVC foe Jacksonville State with a three-game series this Thursday-Saturday.

With the win, Eastern Illinois improves to 3-17 on the season, as Robert Morris-Peoria falls to 3-5 overall.

Things started out a little shaky for the Panthers as Robert Morris-Peoria starter TR Dunne struck out the first four Panthers he faced. A Mitch Gasbarro double to left center got the Panthers back in their grove. Hunter Morris reached on an error by the Eagles first baseman that allowed Gasbarro to make his way home to give the Panthers an early 1-0 after the second inning.

Nick Maton started the third inning with a single off the glove of Dunne and worked his way into scoring position after stealing second. Maton moved up another 90 feet on a groundout, and touched the plate on a perfectly executed suicide squeeze by Dane Toppel. Cale Hennemann kept the momentum going for the Panthers in the inning after he reached on an error. Demetre Taylor followed with a single that fell in front of the Robert Morris center fielder and moved to second on the RMU-P attempt to get Hennemann. Frankie Perrone brought home Hennemann and Taylor with a single out to left.

Robert Morris-Peoria had their best offensive set in the fifth inning, as the Eagles had runners on first and second with two down. The pair would not advance any further as the next RMU-P grounded out to end the threat.

The Panthers began to break the game open with a four-run fifth inning. With runners on second and third and only one out, Gasbarro brought home a pair with an RBI single that found its way up the middle. Maton had his chance later in the inning with runners on second and third, and he too brought home two runs with a single of his own to give the Panthers an 8-0 advantage.

Josh Turnock added a run for the Panthers in the bottom of the sixth with a pinch-hit RBI double into the right center gap.

Eastern Illinois added five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, including an RBI walk each by Jimmy Govern and Matt Dunavant.

The Panther pitching staff was in complete control the entire game, as four pitchers – Jake Johansmeier, Ben Hughes, Hunter Clark, and Cole Berry – combined for a four-hit shutout. Johansmeier (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, as the senior went five innings on the mound, only allowing three hits while striking out four batters.

Gasbarro led the Panther offense with a solid performance at the plate going 4-for-5 and adding three RBI. Maton finished at 3-for-4 on the day. Hennemann and Turnock added a pair of hits each.