GAME ONEÂ
The Panthers' offense was ready for the preseason Sunbelt Pitcher of the Year, Aaron Funk. The Panthers started a two-out rally with a Sweeney, Pena, and Knernschield walk. Kerrigan stood in the box and ripped the pitch into right field to bring Sweeney and Pena home.Â
Hampton started a little shaky, giving up a double in the first and advancing the runner home on a wild pitch. He allowed three hits as the Trojans tied the game at the end of the first.
The Panthers were able to get the best of Funk in the second as well.
Dane Toppel drew a walk that was followed by a bunt single from DiLuca. Eickhoff advanced the runners on a sacrifice bunt.
Grant Emme drew a walk to load the bases for
Trey Sweeney. Sweeney delivered a two-RBI single and advanced to second. Pena followed with a sac-fly that scored Emme and advanced Sweeney to third. The catcher, Knernschield, singled to left field to bring Sweeney home.Â
Hampton tightened his grip and persevered through his first inning. He allowed one hit, which was ended with a double play. The Panthers led 6-2 heading into the third.
In the next inning, the Panthers were able to manage another run. Toppel drew a walk, and DiLuca poked one into right-field, bringing the top of the order back up to bat. Eickhoff bunted into a single and loaded the bases for Emme, who hit one deep enough to send Toppel home to score.Â
Hampton again allowed no runs in the inning and allowed only one hit. The Panthers led 7-2.
The Panthers stayed hot as they scored another three runs in the fourth inning. Knernshield was the first to reach base, followed by another hit from Kerrigan. Doyle hit a single to load the bases for Toppel. Toppel reached on a fielder's choice as Knernschield touched home plate. DiLuca singled to allow Kerrigan to score and kept the line moving back to the top of the order. Toppel scored on a wild pitch to score another.
The Trojans had their most productive inning in the bottom of the fourth. The Panthers let up five hits and four runs to put their lead at 10-6.
The Panthers put in Doherty in the sixth inning. The freshman went on to pitch four scoreless innings and record a save.
Eastern Illinois struck again in the eighth inning. Kerrigan smacked a double into left-center. Doyle stepped into the box and delivered a deep shot to add two runs to the board. Eastern Illinois led Arkansas Little Rock, 12-6, which ended as the final score in game one.
GAME TWO
Neither of the two teams could get much going at the start of the first game. Nicholson was keeping Trojans off the bases, and the Trojans kept the Panthers from scoring.
In the third inning, DiLuca and Eickhoff both managed to get on base. Sweeney stepped up to bat and clobbered the ball over the right-field wall to break the scoreless streak for the game thus far.
The Panthers followed up their third inning with one of the best offensive displays in EIU's history. The Panthers continued to keep the line moving until the batting order went through almost two full times to give EIU 13 runs on six hits.
Nicholson allowed a homer to the first batter he faced but quickly responded by getting through the jam. He continued to keep the ball away from the Trojan's bat's until
Jalen Cardinal entered in relief in the sixth inning. Cardinal faced only one batter but got him to fly out.
In the seventh, the Panthers had put some of their bench bats in the game to get some experience.
Sean Lynch Jr. started it off by getting on base by a beanball. Sweeney walked to bring up
Ben Snapp. Snapp fouled out far enough to bring Lynch Jr. around to score to put the lead at 17-1.
Jesse Wainscott entered to finish out the seventh inning for the Panthers. Wainscott got all three out in seven pitches. The game was called due to the mercy rule.
The Panthers will finish the series against the Trojans, Saturday, Feb., 27, at 11 a.m.
