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Monroe, La. - A strong finish lifted Eastern Illinois baseball to their first win of the season, defeating ULM, 6-5, in their series finale on Sunday.
With the win, Eastern Illinois improved to 1-2 overall, while ULM dropped to 2-1 on the season.
Eastern Illinois scored the first run of the series finale in the top of the second. After back-to-back one out singles by
Hunter Morris and
Jimmy Huber. Morris scored on a Knernschield single to center.
ULM answered back in the bottom of the third off a one out Chad Bell home run to left field.
The Panthers offense exploded in the fifth inning tallying three runs.
Andrew Curran led off the top of the fifth with a lead-off single.
Logan Beaman followed suit with another single.
Dougie Parks cleared the bases with a three run homer to left.
EIU was able to add to their lead in the eighth inning.
Jimmy Huber kicked off the eighth with a lead off double down the right field line. A passed ball advanced Huber to third, which led to a Knernschield sacrifice to center.
In the ninth inning the Panthers would jump out to a 6-1 lead on a Morris double.
ULM would attempt the comeback in the ninth totaling four runs but would come up short dropping to the Panthers by a final score of 6-5.
The Panthers pitching staff held ULM scoreless till the bottom of the ninth.
Brent Stephens came in to relieve
Will Klein in the bottom of the first. Stephens pitched three innings on the mound recording five strikeouts, one walk, one hit, and surrendering only one run.
Dustin Wilson (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Panthers pitching three shut out innings in relief, surrendering only four hits.
Blake Malatestinic came in for
Jake Haberer in the ninth to earn his first save of his career recording a strike out, one run, two hits, and one walk.
Beaman finished the day 3-for-5 with a run, and a double. Parks finished 2-for-4 leading the Panthers in RBIs with three, a home run, and a walk.
The Panthers will travel to Memphis, Tennessee next weekend for a three-game series at Memphis starting on Feb. 23-25.
