Eastern Illinois scores six runs in the second inning to quickly move past the Screaming Eagles in seven innings. With the series opener, EIU improves to 19-11 (8-2 OVC), while USI drops to 20-15 (4-6 OVC).
The Panthers offense wasted no time on the scoreboard, plating six runs in the second inning. Zak Goodwin singled to center field, putting runners on the corners to start the bottom half of the 2nd. Peyton Wilson hit a hard single to third base to score James Love, who reached on a walk. Ethan Rossi was hit by the USI starter Abdriel Figueroa to load the bases. Quade Peters collected one of his three RBIs on a walk, scoring Goodwin.
Shortly after, Tyler Castro pushed a full count to a ball four, scoring Wilson. With the bases still loaded, Brett Stanley extended his hitting streak to 27 games with a double to left field. Peters and Rossi scored on the hard-hit ball from Stanley. The Screaming Eagles' nightmare continued with Chris Worcester scoring Castro on a sacrifice hit to first base.
EIU kept the offensive party rolling in the next inning, scoring four runs in the next two innings.
The three-run inning in the third started with Mike O'Conor reaching on a hit by pitch, followed by Goodwin walking to first base. Peters singled to left center, scoring Goodwin and O'Conor for his third RBI of the game.
After Peters stole second, Castro singled to left field to add the ninth run on the board for EIU.
Tyler Conklin had a bounce-back performance against USI, throwing 7.0 innings, allowing only three runs while collecting three strikeouts. With the win, Conklin improved to 6-2 on the season. However, Conklin surrendered the three runs in the 4th inning.
EIU was unfazed by the attempted comeback from USI, scoring four runs in the last three innings to ensure a run-rule victory.
The 7th-inning run-rule clinch was highlighted by Castro collecting a sac bunt to score the pinch hitter, Joey Hagen. With bases loaded, Love singled to right field to score the final run as Peters walked across the home plate.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 13 Runs, 10 Hits, 1 Error
USI: 3 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors
Tyler Castro: 1-3 with 3 RBIS,
Brett Stanley: 1-4 with 2 RBIs, 2B
Quade Peters: 1-2 with 3 RBIs, 2x BB
Mike O'Conor: 1-3 with an RBI, 2B
Up Next: EIU will host USI for game two of the weekend series starting at 1:00 PM. Game two is the Frost Field dedication game to honor the lights' installation.
