CHARLESTON, Ill.  – The ball was jumping off the bats in Coaches Stadium on Friday, as Eastern Illinois (5-14, 0-1 OVC) was outscored 20-13 by Southeast Missouri (10-13, 1-0 OVC). In a game that was the very definition of a "slugfest", the two teams combined for 30 hits and 31 RBI, as at least two runs were scored in all but one inning.

SEMO got the scoring started with three runs in the top of the first, as Michael Mugan and Ty Stauss both recorded RBIs. The Redhawks extended their lead even further in the second, as a Brooks Kettering RBI double followed by a Mugan three-run homer put EIU in an early 7-0 hole.

After a pair of scoreless at-bats for both teams, Eastern cut into the lead with a Michael O'Conor two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth.

SEMO answered right back, however, and scored five runs in the fifth to take a ten-run lead.

The Panther scored three-runs in both the fifth and sixth innings, which both included back-to-back home runs by Dylan Drumke and Cole Gober, along with Lucas Loos doubles.

However, the Redhawks answered both times with three runs of their own, leaving Eastern with a 10-run deficit at the seventh inning stretch.

EIU started to make a late push in the eighth inning with a two-run homer by Lucas Loos and RBI knocks by Danny Infante and Tyler Castro to pull within five.

Unfortunately, SEMO tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the ninth and Eastern was unable to get much going in their final at-bat as they dropped the conference opening slugfest 20-13.

Five Panthers had multi-hit outings. Lucas Loos led the way with four hits, including three doubles and a home run.

Dylan Drumke stayed hot with two home runs and four RBIs, while Cole Gober also recorded a pair of round-trippers.

As a team, EIU combined for 11 extra base hits, which included six homers, four doubles, and a Grant Lashure triple.

The Panthers and Redhawks will be back at it on Saturday afternoon, as game two is scheduled for 2 p.m.