CARBONDALE, Ill. - Eastern Illinois (2-2) fell to the Southern Illinois Salukis (4-0), 10-9 on Tuesday night. Eastern Illinois had a strong day offensively, but struggles against the Salukis offense cost the team. The Panthers recorded 12 hits, nine runs, no errors, and four doubles in the game. The Panthers will next face Arkansas Little Rock on Friday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m.
QUICK HITS
- Logan Eickhoff recorded three hits, two runs, and three RBI at the lead-off spot.
- Grant Emme recorded one hit, one run, one RBI, one double, and two walks against SIU.
- Trey Sweeney went 2-3 from the plate, including two RBI.
- Christian Pena managed a hit for the day.
- Ryan Knernschield went 1-2, recorded an RBI, a walk, and took two bean-balls.
- Dalton Doyle recorded one hit and two RBI.
- Keith Kerrigan managed a double and a walk.
- Gunner Smith recorded a hit.
- Dane Toppel recorded a hit and a walk.
- Aaron Chao, Jason DeCicco, Mitch Alba, and Hayden Birdsong all appeared on the hill in today's game.
PANTHERS VS. SALUKIS
Eastern Illinois started hot in the early going. The Panthers drove in a run in the first inning off a two-out rally by Sweeney, Pena, and Knernschield. Sweeney was plunked by a pitch to put him at first base; Pena followed with a single that put runners on first and second. Knernschield stepped up to the plate and delivered a shot into left field. The Salukis fielder threw an errant throw that allowed Sweeney to score, putting the Panthers up 1-0.
Chao started strong, throwing a one-two-three inning in the first. The Panthers looked confident heading into the second inning.
The Panthers lineup stayed hungry as Kerrigan came to the plate to lead off the second. He hit a shot to left-field to put him at second. The Panthers were in scoring position with no outs. Smith was next to bat, and the Panthers had the Southern Illinois pitcher frazzled as Smith singled and advanced Kerrigan to third. Toppel managed a walk which brought the top of the order back to the plate. Eickhoff singled into left-center, which brought home Kerrigan and Smith. The Salukis made a pitching change. The SIU pitcher entered and gave up a sac fly to Sweeney but hit Pena into a double-play to end the inning. Panthers led, 4-0.
Chao gave up one earned run and three hits in the second inning.
The Salukis came to life in the third inning, starting with a home run over the left-field wall. The Panthers put in DeCicco, but the Salukis had his number. At the end of the inning, Southern Illinois had regained the lead, 6-4.
EIU returned to put two on the board after Sweeney sent Eickhoff home off a single, and Doyle singled to send Sweeney and Emme home.
Birdsong entered the game for the Panthers in the fourth inning. Birdsong gave up three runs on three hits in his first inning pitched. SIU held the lead 9-7.
Eickhoff started the rally for the Panthers in the fifth with a single past the second baseman. Emme followed with a double that sent Eickhoff home and pulled the Panthers within one run of tying.
Birdsong fended the Salukis off in the fifth, allowing no hits. A pair of doubles in the sixth put Southern Illinois back with a two-run lead. SIU led 10-8.
Alba entered the game in relief for Birdsong, allowing no runs through the rest of the game.
The Panthers spearheaded an improbable comeback in the top of the ninth. Smith struck out for the second out of the inning but reached on an error to put the tying run at the plate.
Lucas DiLuca entered to pinch run. Toppel hit into a potential double-play, but the Salukis pitched missed the second baseman to put runners on first and second with one out. Eickhoff stepped into the batter's box and managed a double, but the Panthers' luck had run out as Toppel was thrown out at home to put the score at 10-9 in favor of the Salukis. Eastern Illinois was unable to get the tying run home, which resulted in a 10-9 loss.
