Box ScoreST. LOUIS, Mo. – In a midweek contest before opening up conference play this weekend, the Eastern Illinois baseball team struggled to get anything going offensively and were shutout at Saint Louis, 2-0, on Tuesday. With the loss, the Panthers fall to 1-11 on the season, as SLU improves to 5-8. EIU will travel to Austin Peay this weekend (Mar. 11-13) for their first Ohio Valley Conference series of the season.
The Billikens scored first in the game with a two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning. Trent Leimkuehler reached base with a single that found its way through the left side of the infield. Braxton Martinez brought home Leimkuehler with an RBI double out to left. The Billikens threatened to add another run in the inning after Josh Bunselmeyer singled up the middle, but
Joseph Duncan made a perfect throw home to
Jason Scholl at the plate to tag out Martinez before he could cross the plate to leave the score at 1-0.
The Panthers worked their first scoring chance in the top of the third inning as
Dane Toppel singled with two outs. Toppel stole second to put the Panthers in scoring position.
Cale Hennemann singled through the left side to put runners on the corners for EIU. Hennemann put himself in scoring position after stealing second base. Saint Louis pitcher Sean Frontzak struck out the next EIU batter to keep the Billikens ahead.
The Billikens would add another run to their total in the bottom of the sixth inning. Leimkuehler singled up the middle to lead-off the inning. He moved up to second following a Martinez walk. Bunselmeyer again singled as Leimkuehler would score on the hit to put the home team ahead 2-0.
Another EIU scoring chance came up empty handed in the top of the seventh. Scholl started the inning reaching on a Saint Louis error.
Mitch Gasbarro followed Scholl with a bunt single to put runners at first and second for the Panthers.
Jackson Mueller singled out to left field, but this time Scholl was the one being tagged out at home on a throw from the Billikens' Parker Sniatynski to keep EIU out of the scoring column.
Nick Vichio came on for the Billikens and recorded a four-out save to give Saint Louis the 2-0 victory.
Jake Johansmeier (0-2) suffered the loss for EIU allowing one run on five hits over 4.2 innings pitched.
Jake Haberer pitched a solid two innings of scoreless relief as he only allowed a single baserunner.
The Panthers recorded seven hits against the Billikens with Toppel and Gasbarro having two hits each.Â
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