Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois baseball team (3-11, 0-0 OVC) took care of business in their home opener with a 9-4 win over Bellarmine (1-15, 0-0 ASUN) on Tuesday afternoon. A group effort on the mound with a strong offensive showing carried the Panthers over the Knights.

EIU got things started on the right foot as starter Mitch Alba retired the side on just four pitches in the top of the first. In the Panthers' first at bat, Michael O'Conor singled through the left side to drive home Lucas Loos and Cade Zalewski to gain an early 2-0 advantage.

Bellarmine got a run back in the top of the third, but Eastern responded in the bottom half with another two-run inning that included another Michael O'Conor RBI, this time on a sacrifice fly.
After the teams swapped one run apiece, the Panthers held a 5-2 lead entering the seventh. However, the Knights scored two runs in the top of the inning to cut EIU's lead to one.

Still clinging to a one run lead in the bottom of the eighth, the Panthers offense got to work. Danny Infante got the ball rolling with a lead off single before advancing to second on a passed ball. Dylan Drumke did the rest of the work with a single up the middle to drive in Infante and give Eastern a much-needed insurance run.

They were not done yet, however. Cole Gober singled in the next at-bat to put runners at first and second with no outs and Lucas Loos coming to the plate. Loos preceded to crush a ball to left center that carried over the outfield wall for a three-run homer that gave EIU a 9-4 lead.

With a comfortable advantage heading into the ninth, EIU called on the services of closer Zane Robbins to secure the victory. Robbins did just that, as he retired the side in order and finished off Eastern's third win of the season.

Mitch Alba (1-0) was credited with the win for EIU, while Bellarmine's Carson Brower (0-1) suffered the loss. Alba allowed just one hit through three innings of work.

In total, six Eastern Illinois pitchers saw action in Tuesday's win. They combined to allow just five hits. 

All but one of EIU's starters reached base as they racked up 14 hits on the day, including three doubles and a home run.

Michael O'Conor and Lucas Loos led the team with three RBIs apiece as Loos extended his on-base streak to 10 games.

The Panthers will remain home this weekend as they host Dayton for a three-game series. Game one is scheduled for Friday, March 15th at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday's games are both set for 1 p.m.