THIBODAUX, La. – Eastern Illinois (1-4, 0-0 OVC) suffered a 4-0 loss against Nicholls State (6-1, 0-0 Southland) on Saturday evening. Runs were at a premium, as Nicholls limited EIU to just five hits and eight base runners in the game.
After the Panthers went down in order in the first inning, Nicholls got off to a hot start with a Parker Coddou lead-off homer to open things up. The Colonels would end up loading the bases but starting EIU pitcher
Eli Cartwright shut the door with back-to-back strikeouts to get out of the inning.
Eastern threatened in the third, as a
Quade Peters double followed by a
Trenton Pallas single moved Peters to third base with just one out. However, Nicholls reliever Devin Desandro forced a pop out followed by a fly out in the next two at bats to prevent a Panthers score.
Peters would work himself into scoring position again in the fifth as he singled and then stole second, but EIU was unable to capitalize on what ended up being their last good scoring opportunity.
Eli Cartwright (0-1) was dealt the loss while Devin Desandro was credited with the win.
Chaney Trout had a solid showing out of the bullpen for the Panthers, allowing zero hits and no runs in 2.2 innings of relief work.Â
Despite the offensive struggles, newcomers
Trenton Pallas and
Quade Peters both had solid outings with two hits in three at bats. Pallas also reached on a walk.
The Panthers and Colonels will close out their series Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., as EIU will look to bounce back and leave Thibodaux with a win.Â
