Eastern Illinois falls in the final game of the weekend series against Northern Kentucky, 20-15. EIU drops to 4-6 on the season, while NKU improves to 7-4. The Panthers attempted a heroic comeback, trailing eight runs heading into the eighth inning. EIU was able to score seven runs but fell short in completing the rally.
After losing back-to-back games to start the weekend, EIU jumped out of the gate early, scoring three quick runs. Chris Worcester hit a sacrifice fly to open the scoring with Brett Stanley touching home plate. Moments later, Peyton Wilson used another sac fly, scoring Tyler Castro.
Leading 5-1 in the 4th inning, NKU's offense exploded for six runs off the Panthers' starter, Anthony Solis. Solis pitched 4.2 innings of work, allowing eight earned runs with four hits, striking out four batters.
The octane offense continued with 35 total runs scored in a four-hour ballgame. NKU added three runs in three straight innings, building their lead to eight.
Trailing by eight in the later stages of the game, Eastern Illinois attempted a heroic comeback. The Panthers scored seven runs in the 8th inning, causing NKU to use nine different pitchers.
Wilson began the inning with a homer to left field, followed by multiple Panthers advancing on the base paths from drawn walks. EIU scored the next two runs on wild pitches, cutting the deficit to five. James Love and Worcester hit back-to-back base hits, scoring Ethan Rossi and Castro. With the bases loaded, Kyree Alexander was hit by the pitch, bringing home Love with the deficit cut to one run.
With bases loaded and two outs, Mike O'Conor lined out to left field, stranding the Panthers' base runners.
Northern Kentucky added four runs in the bottom half of the 8th inning to seal the victory, 20-15.
By The Numbers
EIU: 15 Runs, 15 Hits, 2 Errors
NKU: 20 Runs, 15 Hits, 0 Errors
Tyler Castro: 3-6 with 2 RBIs
James Love: 3-4 with an RBI, 2B
Peyton Wilson: 3-4 with 3 RBIs, 2B
Brett Stanley, Kyree Alexander, Chris Worcester each with 2 RBIs
Up Next: EIU will face Illinois on Tuesday with first pitch set for 3:30 PM CT.
