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LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Eastern Illinois (5-4) split the double-header against Bellarmine (1-4). In game one, the Panthers fell 11-1 against the Knights. Bellarmine brought on five different pitchers while the Panthers only could muster four hits. In game two, 

QUICK HITS

GAME ONE
The Panthers' offense struggled against the constant pitching changes from Bellarmine. Christian Pena managed to draw a walk in the first inning to put a runner on base. Sweeney hit into a fielder's choice that put Pena out at second. Knernschield advanced Sweeney on a rope to right-field, but the Panthers were unable to bring the runner home. 

Bellarmine busted the game open in the bottom of the third inning. The Knights scored five runs off three hits, one being a home run to right-center-field. 

The Panthers were able to strike back in the fourth inning. The rally started with a Doyle double to left-center. Smith ripped a shot up the middle past the infield to drive home Doyle to put the Panthers on the board.

Birdsong was able to recover in the bottom of the fourth inning. Birdsong struck out two, walked one, and got the next to fly out. He returned in the fifth inning with another solid showing. The hometown kid got the next two batters to fly out and struck out the last batter.

Aaron Chao entered in relief in the sixth inning. The Knights were able to put two runs off two hits in the inning. 

Mitch Alba entered in the seventh and closed the game for the Panthers. The Panthers fell 11-1 in game one.

GAME TWO
The Panthers had a major bounce-back offensively in game two. The Panthers started with a bunt from DiLuca, who reached base. Eickhoff followed with a double to left-center-field that scored DiLuca. Knernschield singled up the middle, which scored Eickhoff and put the lead 2-0 out of the gate.

Doyle continued his strong start into game two, hitting another double to start the second inning. Ben Snapp drew a walk, and Dane Toppel singled on a bunt to load the bases. The Knights' pitcher threw a wild pitch that allowed Doyle to cross home and score. DiLuca walked on four straight balls, and the Panthers scored again on a wild pitch. Sweeney was hit by a pitch, and the Knights decided to pull their starter. Following the pitching change, Knernschield doubled to bring two Panthers home, and the rally continued with a Pena single that brought Knernschield home.

Doyle hit a triple to start the third inning and was sent home by a Toppel single. Eickhoff was able to push a ball foul deep enough into the field to bring Toppel home to score. 

In the fourth inning, Bellarmine started to chip away at the lead that EIU had established early. The Knights managed two runs on four hits off of Lang. Mac Hickman entered after the inning was over for the Panthers.

Bellarmine continued to put up more points slowly but surely in fifth. After two walks and a single, Hickman was relieved for Jason DeCicco. The Panthers allowed two runs off one hit in the fifth.

In the sixth, Sweeney started the inning with a double, Knernschield was hit-by-pitch, and the Panthers scored on a balk. The Knights scored off a homer in the bottom of the sixth to give the Panthers a 10-5 lead heading into the final inning.

A pair of doubles from DiLuca and Toppel started an important inning for the Panther offense. Eickhoff walked, then Sweeney hit a triple to score two more Panther runs. 

The Knights started to construct a game-altering rally in the final inning. Bellarmine managed five runs before Cameron Doherty entered in relief for DeCicco for the final out of the game. The Panthers won, 13-10.