Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
Eastern Illinois drops a heartbreaking loss to Northern Illinois in extra innings. The Panthers' home opener loss drops their record to 13-9, while NIU improves to 14-7.
EIU battled back and forth with the Huskies, trading runs until NIU delivered the final knockout punch. Cole Smith stunned the EIU crowd with a double to score Charlie Parcell, the winning run in the top of the 10th inning.
The Panthers threatened a walk-off comeback with runners at first and second; however, Gavin Micklinghoff forced three straight Panthers outs to hold on for the save.
Prior to extra innings, EIU jumped out of the gate early, scoring the first run of the game. Brett Stanley extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a leadoff single, advancing to second after a Chris Worcester walk. NIU's starter, Mason Orton, faced trouble loading the bases in the 1st inning. The Panthers took advantage of Orton's miscues, with Stanley scoring on a wild pitch.
Northern Illinois responded with three unanswered runs coming from another Smith RBI in the 3rd inning and a two-run deep shot to right field by Gavin Baldwin in the 6th inning.
Eastern Illinois rallied in the 7th inning, highlighted by Joey Hagen, who collected his 7th RBI of the season with an infield single to score Stanley. The Panthers regained control with two more runs before the end of the inning.
With bases loaded once again, Eli Hill earned his easiest RBI of his career with a walk to drive in Worcester. Shortly after, Hagen scored a wild pitch from John Lyman to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead.
Once again, NIU responded with a run in the 8th, forcing extra innings under the lights.
In the 10th inning, NIU left the Panther faithful speechless with a go-ahead run off James Geshel. With a runner on first, Cole Smith smashed an RBI double to right field, scoring Parcell to give the Huskies an eventual 5-4 win.
On the mound for EIU, Dalton Boruff threw 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and only one earned run. Boruff also collected two strikeouts.
James Geshel tossed 2.0 innings of relief, recording five strikeouts and one earned run. His loss moves him to 1-2 on the season.
For NIU, Mason Orton went four innings, collecting four strikeouts while allowing one earned run and two hits.
Nick Bassi earned his first win of the season, tossing 1.2 innings of relief with two strikeouts.
Gavin Micklinghoff recorded his first save of the season, throwing the final three outs for NIU.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 4 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error
NIU: 5 Runs, 11 Hits, 1 Error
Dalton Boruff: 3.1 innings, 4 Hits, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO
Brett Stanley: 2-4 with Stolen Base and 2x BB
Joey Hagen: 1-2 with an RBI
Eli Hill: RBI and 2x BB
Up Next: EIU will resume conference play this weekend at home against Morehead State. The First pitch is scheduled for Friday, March 27th, at 3:00 PM CT.
