Eastern Illinois collected a midweek win over Butler 15-12 in a game that took almost four hours. James Geshel tossed 3.2 scoreless innings of relief on Wednesday night as Eastern Illinois (3-1) picked up a 15-12 win over Butler at Grand Park. 

The Panthers started early once again, scoring four runs in the first inning. Peyton Wilson hit a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Kyree Alexander, who reached first on a leadoff walk. Shortly after, Luke Melton tripled to right center, earning three RBIs. Ethan Rossi, James Love, and Brett Stanley each score.  

The Bulldogs quickly found life, scoring two runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Lewis and Crock each earned an RBI single off the short-lived A.J. Hiestand. After the Panthers tagged three extra runs to take a 7-3 lead; however, the lead was short as the Bulldogs exploded for an 8-run inning, which led to EIU using six pitchers throughout the game. 

The back-and-forth continued with the Bulldogs holding onto a thin 12-11 lead heading into the final third of the game. James Geshel was a bright spot on the mound, entering the game down one run in the bottom of the 6th inning, keeping the Panthers within striking distance.  

With six outs remaining, EIU broke through, tying the game at 12 apiece, off the bat of Peyton Wilson. He earned an RBI triple, scoring Love. Moments later, EIU retook the lead after Wilson scored on a wild pitch. Later that inning, Luke Melton reached first on a fielding error, scoring Mike O'Conor. EIU scored an extra insurance run in the 9th to outlast the Bulldogs 15-12.  

By The Numbers 

Luke Melton: 3-4 with 4 RBIs and a Triple 

Peyton Wilson: 2-3 with 3 RBIs and a Triple 

James Love: 2-3 with 3 RBIs, HR, and 2 BBs 

Brett Stanley: 2-4 with a BB 

James Geshel: 3.2 innings, 2 hits, and 6 strikeouts   

Up Next: EIU will be back in action this weekend on the road against Arkansas State for a three-game series.