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Charleston, Ill. – Eastern Illinois was able to take game one of their final three games at Coaches Stadium this season. EIU defeated SIUE, 6-2 Friday afternoon.

With the win Eastern Illinois advances to 19-29 (8-17 OVC), while SIUE drops to 14-33 (5-20 OVC).

Jones got the start on the mound for the Panthers to open up the series against SIUE. Jones tossed 6.1 innings, with six hits, five strikeouts, three walks, and two runs. Jones had retired a total 11 straight batters from the top of the third inning until the top of the seventh. Jones earned his sixth win of the season improving to 6-3.

The Panthers go on the board in the bottom of the second inning jumping out to a 1-0 lead. Ryan Knernschield drove in the first run of the game with a single through the right side to score Jimmy Govern.

Eastern Illinois would add to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning scoring five runs. Logan Beaman got the Panthers fifth inning rally started with a one-out single up the middle. Dougie Parks followed up with a single down the left field line. Hunter Morris would load the bases for the Panthers hitting a single to left center. Govern would drive in two runs hitting a two run single to center. After a pitching change for SIUE, Jimmy Huber kept the hit parade alive driving a one run single to right. The Panthers would send Hunter Beetley into the game to pinch hit for Matt Albert. Govern would make his way home, scoring on a passed ball and Huber would advance to third. Beetley would drive in sixth run of the game hitting a sacrifice fly to center.

SIUE would get on the board in the top of the seventh when they would rally to score two runs. Garret Carmichael would drive in the Cougars first run of the game with a single up the middle. Eric Giltz would drive in the second run of the inning for SIUE with a single to right field.

Blake Malatestinic would earn his third save of the season tossing 2.2 innings of relief. Malatestinic finished with two walks, two strikeouts, and a hit.

Govern finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs, and a walk.  Knernschield finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.