JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Eastern Illinois baseball (25-21, 14-14 OVC) won the opening game of the final regular-season series over Jacksonville State (24-27, 14-14 OVC).
Cameron Doherty recorded his fifth save of the season after pitching four scoreless innings.
Trevor Nicholson collected his third win of the season. The Panthers will wrap up the regular season against Jacksonville State in the form of a doubleheader on Friday, May 21, starting at 1 p.m.
QUICK HITS
- Logan Eickhoff went 3-5, accounted for two runs, recorded two RBI, and stole two bases.
- Trey Sweeney drew two walks and recorded two runs. Sweeney moves to No. 2 for the most walks in a single season (45)
- Ryan Knernschield went 2-3, drew two walks, and collected two RBI.
- Lucas DiLuca drew two walks and accounted for two runs.
- Trevor Nicholson pitched five innings and grabbed his third win of the season.
- Cameron Doherty pitched four innings, allowing two hits, and striking out two.
GAME ONE
The Panthers kicked off the first inning with a two-run rally off two hits and two Gamecock errors. Eickhoff started EIU with a single and stolen base. Sweeney drew his first walk of the night to put runners on for the catcher, Knernschield. Knernschield delivered a bloop single to right, and an error by the outfielder scored Eickhoff and put runners on the corners. Pena reached on an error that scored Sweeney to put the Panthers up 2-0.
A two-out rally in the second inning added insurance for EIU. DiLuca drew a walk and stole second, followed by an Eickhoff single to center that scored the second baseman. Panthers led 3-0.
The Gamecocks responded with a four-run third inning. The Panthers battled back with a four-run inning of their own in the fourth.
Dane Toppel and DiLuca both managed walks to put the hot-bat of Eickhoff with another chance to score for EIU. Eickhoff delivered another RBI single to center, putting runners on first and third for the OVC's RBI leader:
Trey Sweeney. Sweeney drew his second walk, loading the bases for Knernschield. Knernschield battled, drawing a walk to score another EIU run.
Dalton Doyle singled, adding still another, and
Christian Pena delivered his seventh sacrifice fly, tying him for the most in a single season by a Panther. EIU led JSU, 7-4.
Nicholson was relieved for Doherty in the sixth inning and dominated the Gamecocks lineup. He allowed two hits through four innings, recording his fifth save of the season, a team-high.
ON DECK
The Panthers will finish their series against JSU, May 21, in the form of a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
