Eastern Illinois (7-3, 0-0. OVC) at Alabama A&M (1-8, 0-0 SWAC)
Madison, Ala. | Toyota Field
Game One | Friday, Mar. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Game Two | Saturday, Mar. 12, 1:00 p.m.
Game Three | Sunday, Mar. 13, 12:00 p.m.
ON-TAP: Eastern Illinois baseball will start an eight game road trip this weekend with their first stop being at Alabama A&M for a three game series in Huntsville, Ala. EIU looks to continue their four game win streak after beating Illinois 4-2 on Tuesday in Champaign, Ill. The Panthers are currently in fourth place in the Ohio Valley Conference
ON THE MOUND: Starting pitcher
Trevor Nicholson will be on the mound to start against the Bulldogs on Friday night. Nicholson is the reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week for his performance last weekend against Grambling State. He pitched 6.0 innings, allowed six hits, one run, and posted a team-high 12 strikeouts. He was the first pitcher since 2017 to have 12 strikeouts in one game. On the season, Nicholson is 1-0 with two saves, has an 0.75 ERA (1st OVC), 20 strikeouts (T-2nd OVC), nine allowed hits (T-4th OVC), two runs allowed (1st OVC), and allowed one walk (1st OVC).
POWER 5 WIN: Eastern Illinois traveled to Champaign, Ill. on Tuesday afternoon and defeat the Fighting Illini of Illinois by a score of 4-2.
Ryan Ignoffo extended his three game hitting streak with an RBI double. Starting pitcher
Jackson Nichols threw 3.0 innings while giving up one earned run and striking out three.
Zane Robbins lead EIU with five Ks and earned his third save in the last four games.
PRESEASON PANTHERS: Eastern Illinois'
Logan Eickhoff and
Cameron Doherty both earned preseason All-OVC earlier this offseason. Eickhoff was chosen at the utility position while Doherty was chosen for relief pitching. Eickhoff played in 31 games making 26 starters in the outfield. He was among OVC leaders with a .435 batting average before suffering a mid-season injury. Eickhoff returned on April 30 at SIUE and finished the season hitting .423 to become 23rd player in program history to hit .400 or better during a season. He held an on-base percentage of .463 and slugging percentage of .514. Doherty posted a 3-2 record with a team high five saves during the season. He finished the season with a 3.45 ERA in 75.2 innings of work. He was also selected as the OVC preseason pitcher of the year for his performance last season.
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern has never played Alabama A&M before in their history. This marks the first time that the Panthers are traveling to Alabama this season. The Bulldogs have played the following OVC opponents: Austin Peay, Belmont, Morehead State, Murray State, Tennessee Tech, Tennessee State, and UT Martin.
SCOUTING REPORT: Over their first nine games, Alabama A&M has three hitters who have posted a .300 batting average. Janmikell Bastardo (.357) has played in nine games making five starts with five hits, one triple, and homerun and three RBI. Time Dixon (.333) has started all nine games for A&M collecting 11 hits, three doubles, one triple, one homerun and nine RBI. Teddy Bridges (.308) has started seven games while collecting eight hits, one double, and two RBI.
ON DECK: After the Panthers travel to Huntsville, they will make their way to Arkansas-Pine Bluff for a two-game series during the week before going to McNeese State in Lake Charles, La.
