JONESBORO, Ark. – Tyler Conklin was dealing for Eastern Illinois on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers (2-2, 0-0 OVC) picked up a 7-1 win in their series opener at Arkansas State (1-4, 0-0 Sun Belt).

The preseason OVC Player to Watch went eight innings, allowing just two hits with five strikeouts while surrendering zero earned runs. It was the longest outing of Conklin's career.

A-State's first six batters were retired in order before a Kaden Amundson lead-off double in the bottom of the third gave the Redwolves their first baserunner. Amundson advanced to third on a fly out before a throwing error allowed him take home and give Arkansas State their first and only run of the ballgame.

The Panthers defense would only allow two more baserunners through the remaining six innings as the pitching faced just two above the minimum.

Eastern's first run of the game came in the fifth inning as a two-out base hit from Tyler Castro drove home Chris Worcester.

Then, with two out and the bases loaded in the sixth, Eli Hill came through with a clutch single that scored Pierce Bauerle and Zak Goodwin to push the Panthers in front 3-1.

Brett Stanley tacked on one more with an RBI single in the seventh before a Cade Zalewski pinch hit double with two outs and the bases loaded cleared the bags to make the score 7-1.

After another scoreless inning from Conklin in the eighth, Christian Carew was tasked with finishing the game. The senior from Colorado picked up right where No. 34 left off, retiring the A-State side in order to secure the win for Big Blue.

The Panthers and Redwolves will be back in action on Monday with a doubleheader slated to get underway at 1 p.m.