CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois baseball team (12-15, 4-3 OVC) dropped their first game against UT Martin (12-18, 3-4 OVC) by a score of 8-5 early Thursday afternoon. The Skyhawks erased an early five-run deficit to steal the series opener.

The EIU offense scored three earned runs on six hits and two UT Martin errors. Chris Worcester and Ethan Rossi led the team with two hits apiece, while Tyler Castro stayed hot with runners in scoring position with a team best two RBIs.

The EIU offense got off to a strong start with a pair of runs in the first inning. After Tyler Castro was walked with one out, Mike O'Conor reached on a catcher's interference before Zak Goodwin was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Jake Ferguson drove in the game's first run on a fielder's choice before a Joey Hagen single plated O'Conor to make the score 2-0.

Eastern kept things rolling in the second with three more runs, beginning with a Tyler Castro two-RBI double that scored Ethan Rossi and Chris Worcester, who had reached base on hits of their own.

Castro then came around to score on back-to-back passed balls.

The Skyhawks broke into the scoring column in the top of the third with consecutive doubles from Tommy Koch and Cameron Greene before Jalen Fithian scored on a double steal in the next inning to make the score 5-2.

UTM tied the game in the fifth inning after the first five batters reached base on four singles and a fielder's choice. With two on and still one away, Chris Worcester made a diving catch for an out in shallow center before doubling up the retreating runner at first base to get out of the inning.

The next three innings were scoreless, but the Skyhawks went ahead in the top of the ninth with a Brody Capps three-run homer to left field.

The Panthers were unable to respond in the ninth to win or extend the game, suffering their first series opening loss of conference play.

The series will conclude on Friday with a doubleheader beginning at 10 a.m., weather permitting.