Eastern Illinois (8-8, 0-0 OVC) at Arkansas-Pine Bluff (8-12, 0-0 SWAC)
March 17-18 | Pine Bluff, Arkansas | Torii Hunter Baseball Complex
Game 1: Tuesday at 2:00 PM | Live Stats
Game 2: Wednesday at 2:00 PM | Live Stats
Eastern Illinois (8-8, 0-0 OVC) at Lindenwood (10-10, 0-0 OVC)
March 20-22 | St. Charles, Mo. | Lou Brock Sports Complex
Game 1: Friday at 3:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
Game 2: Saturday at 1:00 PM | Live Stats
Game 3: Sunday at 1:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats
Eastern Illinois will face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a rare two-game midweek series on Tuesday and Wednesday. Moving towards the weekend, EIU will face Lindenwood University to open conference play.
Offensive Output
After only scoring two runs in the first game against Memphis, the Panthers offense exploded for 37 runs in the next two games. EIU scored 12 runs on 20 hits in game two. Rounding out the series, EIU scored 20+ runs for the fifth straight year and 25 runs for the first time since 2011. Nine different Panther players had a multi-RBI game between games two and three.
Mike O'Conor For the Cycle
In the 25-14 win over the Tigers on Sunday, O'Conor hit for the cycle to lead EIU offensively. He hit a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the series' finale. O'Conor is the first Panther to hit for the cycle since Nathan Aide in 2022 against Saint Xavier.
Last Time Out
The Panthers faced Memphis in a three-game weekend series, with EIU winning the matchup 2-1 overall. After being run-ruled in seven innings, Eastern Illinois faced no trouble the rest of the weekend, winning 12-7 and 25-14. The series' finale was the longest game of the season for the Panthers, taking four and a half hours to complete. Chris Worcester led the way offensively for the Panthers, batting .500 with seven hits, six RBIs, and a home run. Peyton Wilson was dynamic in the box, batting .500 with six hits, five RBIs, and one home run. In nine at-bats, Ethan Rossi hit .667 with six hits, four RBIs, and an impressive.769 OB%. As a team, the Panthers lead the OVC in on-base percentage at .417. On the mound for EIU, Jarret Kinder and James Geshel were critical in relief. Kinder threw 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits. Geshel tossed 2.2 scoreless innings, allowing one earned run.
About Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Golden Lions enter the week with an 8-12 record after sweeping Mississippi Valley State. At the beginning of the season, they played against a familiar OVC opponent, Lindenwood, and went 2-2 against the Lions. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is led by Head Coach Logan Stout, who is in his first season at the helm. Coach Stout has a balanced roster with Aaron Grant leading the way offensively. Grant is currently batting .359 with 14 hits, 12 RBIs, and three home runs. On the mound, Brendan Hamlin holds a 1.93 ERA in 14.0 innings pitched. In the bullpen, UAPB has two talented arms. Emerson Lott has a 1.42 ERA in six appearances, while McLeese has a 1.80 ERA in five relief appearances.
About Lindenwood
The Lions finished 6th in the OVC last season with a 30-30 (14-12 OVC) record. To begin the 2026 season, Lindenwood holds a 10-10 record in non-conference play. Last weekend, the Lions won a weekend series against the reigning Missouri Valley Conference champions, Murray State, who advanced to Omaha in the College World Series. The Lions are led by Head Coach PJ Finigan, who is in his third season as head coach. Two players to keep an eye on are Tyler Ellis and Jake Radosevich. Ellis hits .309 with 17 hits and 11 RBIs. Radosevich hits .299 with 20 hits and 18 RBIs. On the mound, Seth Benes has a 1.50 ERA in 30 innings of work, followed by Lucas Niemeyer, who has a 2.02 ERA with 26.2 innings tossed.
All-Time Series vs. Arkansas Pine-Bluff
Eastern Illinois leads the all-time series 6-1 against the Golden Lions. These two programs met for the first time in 2020, when EIU won 12-4 and 9-2. EIU won the first five matchups before splitting the two-game series last year.
All-Time Series vs. Lindenwood
EIU leads the all-time series against Lindenwood 13-1, with the first meeting taking place in 2018. The Panthers won the first twelve matchups before losing the regular season series finale 14-4 last year. These two teams met in the OVC tournament semifinals last year, with EIU winning 3-1.
OVC Preseason Prediction Poll
With OVC play starting this weekend, EIU will look to defend their 2025 OVC regular season title. The Panthers were picked to finish third in the OVC poll, with Anthony Solis and James Love named to the OVC Players to Watch List.
Lindenwood was picked to finish sixth in the OVC preseason poll, with Jake Radosevich and Charlie Isom-McCall selected to the OVC Players to Watch List.
Team Leaders
Hits: Brett Stanley (23), James Love (21), Peyton Wilson (19), Tyler Castro (16)
Home Runs: James Love (3), Kyree Alexander (2), Peyton Wilson (2)
RBIs: Peyton Wilson (15), James Love (14), Kyree Alexander (12), Ethan Rossi (10)
Strikeouts: Bryce Riggs (29), Anthony Solis (18), Tyler Conklin (15)
Wins: Tyler Conklin (3), Bryce Riggs (3)
National Leaders Top 25
Team Doubles per Game (3.67) – 5th
Team On Base Percentage (.503) – 8th
Team Scoring (13) – 8th
Team Slugging Percentage (.591) – 23rd
Kyree Alexander – Runs per Game (2.33) - 9th
Each game can be followed on the live stat links above. Games one and three against Lindenwood will be live on ESPN+.
