EIU splits their doubleheader against Bellarmine but wins the weekend series 2-1. The Panthers used a strong performance from Bryce Riggs to win game one but struggled to end the weekend. EIU moves to 6-7, while Bellarmine ends the weekend at 3-11. 

Game 1: EIU 4, Bellarmine 2 
EIU opened the doubleheader with a pitching duel featuring Bryce Riggs and Carver Chase. Riggs threw six scoreless innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just two hits. On the opposite side, Chase threw four innings, allowing seven hits but only two earned runs.  

Panthers opened the scoring in the bottom half of the second inning with Quade Peters doubling to right field, scoring Ethan Rossi, who reached base on a double down the left field line. EIU added their second run off the bat of Tyler Castro. Castro earned an RBI single, driving in Peters.  

Both offenses were held in check with only five combined hits allowed. However, EIU added two extra runs to avoid the Knight's late push. Peters with another extra base hit in the 6th inning, reaching safely at third. Castro hit a sac bunt back to Ragat on the mound to bring home Peters. 

Bellarmine found life in the 7th off the arm of Nate Marshall. Marshall threw 1.2 innings, allowing two earned runs. However, EIU added an insurance run in the 8th with Peters using a SAC blooper, scoring Worcester.  

By The Numbers: 

EIU: 4 runs, 11 hits, 0 errors 

Bellarmine: 2 runs, 5 hits, 0 errors 

Quade Peters: 3-3 with 2 RBIs, 3B, 2B 

Ethan Rossi: 2-4 with a 2B 

Game 2: EIU 2, Bellarmine 8 
The Panthers struggled to find their footing in the second game of the doubleheader. Bellarmine faced no trouble with Anthony Solis on the mound for EIU.  

Solis threw 5.1 innings and six strikeouts but allowed eight hits and four earned runs. Dominic Cristinizio was unable to finish an inning of relief, allowing Jarrett Kinder to throw 2.2 innings as well. Kinder allowed two earned runs and two hits. Dalton Boruff allowed the final earned run in his 1.0 inning of relief.  

Kyree Alexander provided early offense, driving in Castro with an RBI single. However, the Knights went nuclear, scoring a run in four straight innings. Luke Scales hit a home run in the 4th to push their lead to 4-1.  

EIU rebounded in the 5th with Dylan Drumke picking up an RBI single to score Wilson. Unfortunately, no comeback was available as the Knights fueled a high-scoring affair, adding four more runs to their lead.  

By The Numbers: 

EIU: 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 error 

Bellarmine: 8 runs, 14 hits, 0 errors 

Dylan Drumke: 2-3 with an RBI, 2B 

Kyree Alexander: 1-4 with an RBI 

Up Next: EIU will face Illinois Wesleyan in their home opener on Wednesday, March 11th. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM CT.