Eastern Illinois was unable to complete the weekend series sweep, losing 10-8 to UT Martin. EIU falls to 24-15 (12-6 OVC), while the Skyhawks improve to 21-22 (7-11 OVC).  

The Panthers lost a back-and-forth rubber match, which featured six lead changes.  

UT Martin opened the scoring with two first-inning runs. Dalton Boruff surrendered the early runs as the Sunday starter. Boruff threw 2.1 innings, allowing two runs on three hits.  

Eastern Illinois responded with three runs in the third inning. Colin Horneman went 1-2 in the game and singled to shallow center to open the third inning. After Castro reached on a walk, Chris Worcester cleared the bases with a two-RBI double to left field. James Love followed suit with the back-to-back double, scoring for Worcester to take the lead 3-2.  

The Panthers added another run in the fourth inning off Ethan Rossi's third home run of the season. However, the Skyhawks quickly erased EIU's lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. UT Martin took advantage of the Panthers' miscues, scoring the three runs on an error by Peyton Wilson.  

In the sixth inning, the Panthers tied the game 5-5 after Mike O'Conor smashed his first of two home runs of the game. 

The Skyhawks retook the lead in the 7th with one run scored, but O'Conor was unfazed, collecting his 11th home run of the season in the 8th inning, scoring Worcester, who reached on a walk to begin the inning.  

Unfortunately, Eastern Illinois was unable to hold onto their one-run lead with six outs remaining. Jarret Kinder surrendered five runs in the 0.2 innings of relief. The Panthers used four pitchers in the 8th inning but were unable to slow down the Skyhawks' offense. UT Martin scored their first two runs on a wild pitch, followed by a sacrifice fly to right field for the third of the inning. 

UT Martin completed the inning with TJ Dunsford hitting a single to shallow right field for two RBIs, followed by Andrew Davis's double left center to clear the bases.  

With three outs remaining, Eastern Illinois added a run in the 9th but was unable to threaten any further damage. Love singled to left field for an RBI base hit, scoring Quade Peters for the final run of the game.  

On the mound, Jarret Kinder was credited with his first loss of the season, tossing 0.2 innings, allowing those two runs in the 8th inning. For UT Martin, Will Turner earned his fourth win of the season, allowing three runs on four hits in 3.0 innings of relief.  
 

By The Numbers: 

EIU: 8 Runs, 11 Hits, 3 Errors 

UT Martin: 11 Runs, 11 Hits, 0 Errors  

Mike O'Conor: 2-5, 3 RBIs, 2x HR 

James Love: 2-5, 2 RBIs, 2B 

Chris Worcester: 1-4, 2 RBIs, 2B 

Up Next: Panthers will travel to Peoria, Illinois, to face Bradley in a midweek contest on Wednesday, April 29th, at 6:00 PM.