Eastern Illinois scores five runs in the last two innings to win their first OVC game of the season in a pitching duel against Lindenwood. EIU improves to 11-8, while the Lions fall to 10-11. 

Panthers win their OVC opener for the third straight year, each of the wins coming against Lindenwood.  

Tyler Conklin held the Lions in check after the first inning. Conklin threw 105 pitches in seven innings of work. He struck out two and only allowed four hits. Battling with Conklin, Josh Newell was stellar on the mound for the Lions.  

Newell threw 98 pitches in 7.2 innings of work, striking out five batters and allowing only five hits.  

Panthers took advantage of Newell early, scoring in the first inning for the 11th time this season. Brett Stanley continues to be a consistent presence in the Panthers lineup, opening the first inning with a single to right field and advancing to second with a stolen base. 

Chris Worcester earned an RBI double to right center field, scoring Stanley.  

The narrow lead was short-lived for EIU as the Lions tied the game in the bottom half of the inning.  

Charlie Isom-McCall singled through the left side and later advanced to second on a throwing error by Petyon Wilson. Will Geary hit a sacrifice fly to score Isom-McCall.  

A tug-of-war kept both teams scoreless in a pitching duel for the next seven innings.  

With six outs remaining, EIU broke open the game in the 8th inning with Stanley hitting a multi-RBI triple to left-center, clearing the bases. Zak Goodwin started the inning with a single to center, followed by Dylan Drumke collecting a walk. The Panthers took a 3-1 lead late but did not stop there, scoring three more runs in the final two innings.  

With two outs, Worcester singled to left, scoring Stanley, but the Lions avoided further damage with EIU stranding two runners.  

In the ninth inning, EIU shut the Lions' water off, scoring two extra insurance runs to avoid a potential comeback. 

With Ethan Rossi and Wilson on the base paths, Quade Peters smacked a single down the left field line, scoring both for the final two runs.  

By The Numbers: 

EIU: 6 Runs, 10 Hits, 2 Errors 

Lindenwood: 1 Run, 4 Hits, 2 Errors 

Tyler Conklin: 7.0 innings, 105 pitches, 4 Hits, 2 Strikeouts 

James Geshel: 2.0 innings, 3 Strikeouts 

Brett Stanley: 2-4 with 2 RBIs, 3B 

Chris Worcester: 3-5 with 2 RBIs, 2B 

Quade Peters: 1-3 with 2 RBIs 

Up Next: EIU will continue their weekend series against Lindenwood with games two and three slated for 1:00 PM CT starts.