Eastern Illinois (11-3, 0-0. OVC) at McNeese State (10-8, 0-0 SOUTHLAND)
Lake Charles, La. | Joe Miller Ballpark
Game One | Friday, Mar. 18, 6:00 p.m.
Game Two | Saturday, Mar. 19, 2:00 p.m.
Game Three | Sunday, Mar. 20, 1:00 p.m.
Live Stats
ON-TAP: Eastern Illinois baseball ends their road trip over the weekend with a stop in Lake Charles, La. to face-off against McNeese State for a three-game series before returning home. The Panthers are currently on a eight game win streak to improve their record to 11-3. During their win streak, Eastern has managed to spring themselves into second place in the Ohio Valley Conference, behind only SEMO.
FIRE POWER: Ryan Ignoffo has had a hot start to the season, while leading the Panthers in batting average (.452), hits (28), doubles (10), homeruns (4), and slugging percentage (.806). In the OVC, Ignoffo is first in the conference in batting average, third in slugging, second in hits, second in RBI (23), first in doubles, and third in total bases. He is currently on a seven game hitting streak.
Lucas DiLuca, who is on an 11 game hitting streak, is doing it on offense and defense. He is hitting .370 (2nd on the team), while collecting 17 hits, four doubles, and 12 RBI. His .517 on-base percentage is fourth in the OVC, and his double plays turned are tied for first with 10.
Lincoln Riley is also leading the conference in hit-by-pitches with 11. That stat currently leads the NCAA.
PREVIOUS GAME: Eastern Illinois traveled to Arkansas-Pine Bluff this past Wednesday in rout to 12-2 win over the Golden Lions. Starting pitcher
Tyler Conklin (W, 2-0) got his first collegiate start on Wednesday afternoon and threw 4.0 scoreless innings while giving up only three hits and striking out four. Shortstop
Chris Worcester had himself a three hit game while also adding three RBI to lead the Panthers past Pine Bluff. It also continued the Panthers' eight game winning streak.
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 Illinois has never played McNeese State before in their series history. This marks the second time this season that the Panthers will travel to Louisiana, the first being when they traveled to play Grambling State.
SCOUTING REPORT: McNeese State is lead by starting infielder Brad Burckel on offense. He is currently hitting .394 with 28 hits, 21 runs scored, and 14 RBI. Burckel also has five doubles, one triple, and three homeruns. He is perfect on stolen bases this season with eight. RHP Cameron Foster has appeared in eight games for the McNesse and is 1-0 on the season with five saves. He has posted 27 strikeouts to just three hits.
ON DECK: After the Panthers end their road trip, they will return to Illinois to play back-to-back games in Rantoul, Ill. as EIU will play at Rantoul Family Sports Complex for their first two home games. Both games will start at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22 and Wednesday, March 23.
