Tweet #W1NasONE

Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. - The Panthers fell 5-1 to the fifth ranked team in the nation. Will Klein got his debut as a starter where all eyes were on him. Klein showed why he is considered the best draft prospect in the OVC after throwing in the high 90's. Klein ended his day with seven strikeouts. Grant Emme led the team in hits with two on the day. Matt Waznis and Christian Pena were the only other Panthers to notch a hit on the day. Klein (0-1) takes the loss, despite having an outing that has people talking. The Panthers record started with a loss (0-1), as the Razorbacks start the series with a win (1-0). 

The Panthers will be back tomorrow with the debut of Trevor Nicholson. The game starts at 2 p.m. at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

INNING BY INNING
1st Inning: Emme led off for the Panthers with a single up the right side. Emme was the only player to get a hit in the top of the first, but was caught stealing third base, which ended the first for the Panthers offense. Klein walked the lead-off man, and after an errant pick off attempt had a man on second. Klein allowed a single which allowed Arkansas to score. Arkansas followed that by hitting into a double play which finished the inning with Arkansas leading 1-0 going into the second inning.

2nd Inning: Arkansas Connor Noland struck out the side in the top of the second inning, bringing in the middle of the Razorbacks lineup. Klein started off the bottom of the second strong with a strikeout, but let up two singles. Klein got out of the bind after a chopper jumped into Ryan Ignoffo glove getting the out. Arkansas led EIU 1-0 going in to the top of the third.

3rd Inning: Eastern's offense came out and after two quick outs, Dane Toppel showed his experience by upping the pitch count of Noland and earning a walk. Toppel got a little too far from first and was picked off by the Razorbacks catcher. Klein took the mound in the third, and was pitching wild. Jason Anderson came out of the dugout and had a quick conversation with Klein and Ryan Knernschield. Klein followed by forcing a ground ball to one of the top prospect in Heston Kjerstad; putting Arkansas with two outs. Klein had a battle with the following hitter, but came out with a strikeout, his third of the day.

4th Inning: Noland struck out the side at the top of the fourth. Klein started to show he was very comfortable on the mound for the Panthers. Klein got a quick three outs, including two strikeouts, adding to his solid start to the season. The Panthers offense continued to struggle against Noland, who had tied his career-high in strikeouts by the top of the fifth. The score remained the same. 

5th Inning: Klein continued to throw in the 90's in the bottom of the fifth inning, and held off one of the top teams in the country. He let up a hit up the right field gap after sitting down seven straight Razorbacks. Klein threw a fastball on the inside and let up a no-doubter. Klein followed by facing the Kjerstad, who hit another homer. Klein got out of the inning with a flyout to left field. Arkansas pushed the lead to 4-0. Panthers couldn't get anything going against the dealing Noland. Emme was the lone hit for the Panthers. 

6th Inning: Klein was relieved by Blayke Cutts after a great outing for his debut. Klein's pitch count reached 95 before he was relieved. Cutts was left with a runner on first and hit the next batter, putting runners on first and second. Cutts ended the inning on a flyout to deep right field. The score remained 4-0 heading into the seventh inning. 

7th Inning: The Panthers notched their second hit of the game; a little bloop into center from Emme. Emme stole second and after a deep shot from Pena, Emme advanced to third. Matt Mackey hit it towards the shortstop who missed it and Emme scored on an error. Noland was relieved for and Arkansas brought in Denton. Panthers got on the board, but Arkansas still led. 4-1 was the score heading into the bottom of the seventh. Cutts pitched two quick outs, but let up a homer against Kjerstad: his second of the game. Cutts threw the second errant pick off attempt by the Panthers on the day; advancing the runner into scoring position. The Razorbacks left two stranded, but upped the score by a run. Arkansas led 5-1 going into the eighth inning.

8th Inning: Ignofo reached after a bean-ball from Denton. Matt Waznis came in for Toppel and pulled a ball into left for a single, the third hit of the game. Tyler Tesmond was brought in to pinch run for Waznis, but wasn't able to get him around the base paths. 

9th Inning: Cutts got out of the inning with no run scores as the Panthers headed into their final chance to get into the game. Christian Pena singled to add to the Panthers hit total, but the deficit was too much as the Panthers lost 5-1.