INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Eastern Illinois (16-5, 3-0 OVC) lose game one of a four-game series against Butler (12-13, 0-0 Big East) after the Bulldogs hit a walk-off single to win 1-0. Starting LHP
Trevor Nicholson threw 6.0 scoreless innings Friday afternoon tossing nine strikeouts and only allowing two hits.
Ryan Ignoffo added two hits for the Panthers to continue his 14-game hitting streak.
QUICK STATS
Trevor Nicholson: ND, 6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Ryan Ignoffo: 2-4
Ben Gallaher: 1-3, BB
Lincoln Riley: 1-4, HBP
Jackson Nichols: 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, BB, K
Hayden Birdsong: L (2-2), 1.0 IP, H, R, 2 BB, 2 K
Both offenses were at a stand still for most of the game. EIU had multiple chances with runners in scoring position, but couldn't find a way to score during Friday's game. Nicholson continued his strong season with two strikeouts in the first inning.
The Panthers had a runner on second in both the third and fourth innings, but failed to convert any runs out of those opportunities. Nicholson kept the Bulldogs off the board on the mound as he only allowed one hit in the third and one in the fifth.
EIU had their best opportunity at the plate during the sixth inning. After a groundout by Riley,
Lucas DiLuca was hit by a pitch.
Logan Eickhoff and Ignoffo both followed that with a single to load the bases. Butler's starting pitcher, Cory Bosecker, was able to strikeout
Nathan Aide and
Travis Reaves to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.
In the top of the seventh, EIU yet again had bases loaded after
Bryce Hayman, Gallaher, and Riley all got on base. Winning pitcher Lukas Galdoni was able to escape the inning after he popped up DiLuca and forced Eickhoff into a fielder's choice.
Nichols relieved Nicholson in the seventh and went one and two thirds and Birdsong closed out the eighth. After a one, two, three inning for EIU in the ninth, the Bulldogs struck to take game one. Birdsong walked two in the inning, and with two outs James Gargano singled down the left field line to score the only run of the game.
EIU had six hits on the day with not errors and 10 men left on base. Butler had one run on four hits and posted no errors.
The Panthers will be back tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. for a Saturday double header with
Cameron Doherty starting game one. Livestats and video will be made available.
