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CHARLESTON, Ill. - EIU baseball (19-19, 9-12 OVC) split the day against UT Martin (14-20, 7-8 OVC) but ultimately fell 2-1 to the Skyhawks in the series. The Panthers dominated the opening game of the day, as Ky Hampton threw a complete shutout in the 7-0 win. Hampton is the first Panther to throw a complete game since Joe Greenfield threw one against the Skyhawks in May 2014. Ryan Ignoffo was a standout for the Panthers as well, notching five RBI in game two of the series.

QUICK HITS

GAME TWO
The Panthers struck early in the game, knocking home two runners after a pair of walks and a passed ball put Panthers in scoring position. Ignoffo started his incredible first game of the day with a bloop single to right field that scored Ryan Knernschield. The Skyhawks allowed one more run off a passed ball before getting out of the inning. The Panthers claimed a 2-0 lead early.

Hampton kept the Skyhawks hitless through the first two. After allowing a lead-off single, the pitcher turned a double play to end the the inning and allow no damage. 

Sweeney reached in the third with a single that took an odd bounce towards the first baseman. After a wild pitch advanced Sweeney to scoring position at second base, Ignoffo stayed hot, knocking his second hit and second RBI of the day home to score the Panthers' third run of the game.

Ignoffo scored Knernschield again in the bottom of the fifth with a liner into center field. He capped off the big day with a two-runner no-doubt homer in the bottom of the seventh to give EIU the 7-0 lead.

Hampton continued to mow down the opponent, fanning eight total by his final batter. The Panthers had set up the rubber game after taking game two, 7-0.

GAME THREE
UT Martin took the lead in the top of the third inning after a two-out error gave the Skyhawks a rally. The Skyhawks took the 3-0 lead early.

The Skyhawks added another off a solo-homer. The Panthers' starter in game three, Foster Anshutz, was pulled for Alex Stevenson, who got out of the jam without allowing another run. 

Eastern Illinois found some rhythm after a lead-off single by Sean Lynch Jr. set up Sweeney to score the outfielder. Sweeney delivered a two-out punch to center field that scored Lynch Jr. as EIU trailed the Skyhawks, 5-1. 

The Panthers managed to add one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning after Ignoffo doubled and Gunner Smith plinked a single into right field. The Panthers were unable to add any more runs as the team fell 5-2 in the game and 2-1 in the series.

ON DECK
Eastern Illinois baseball will travel to SIUE to face one of the top teams of the OVC this upcoming weekend. The first game will be in Edwardsville, Ill., on Friday, Apr. 30, starting at 6 p.m.