Eastern Illinois earned a bounce-back win over Western Illinois, 7-1, ending a four-game losing skid. With the win, EIU improves to 29-19 (16-9 OVC), while the Leathernecks fall to 17-34 (8-17 OVC).
The Panthers found their rhythm both offensively and on the mound, led by Tyler Conklin. After a rough outing against SIUE, Conklin threw 97 pitches in 7.0 innings of work. Conklin struck out six Leathernecks while allowing one run on six hits.
Offensively, the Panthers scored seven runs on 13 hits. Quade Peters led the way with three hits, including a double and an RBI. Brett Stanley followed with two hits and a walk. Five Panthers recorded multiple hits, with Zak Goodwin, Ethan Rossi, and Tyler Castro joining Stanley and Peters with two hits.
After surrendering a first-inning run, the Panthers matched the score in the third inning. Peters and Rossi smashed back-to-back doubles to open the scoring for the Panthers.
With the game tied 1-1, EIU took control and sped away to open the weekend contest. The Panthers scored three go-ahead runs in the fifth en route to a 7-1 victory. Peters reached the base path once again with a single to left field. Castro, who went 2-4 on the day, crushed a double to left field, scoring Peters.
Stanley laid down a perfect bunt, causing chaos for WIU. Castro found home plate on a throwing error by Max Trripure on the mound.
Coming off a grand slam at ISU, Mike O'Conor continued his momentum with an RBI double to center field, scoring Stanley.
Eastern Illinois was not done scoring, putting away any potential rally with three more insurance runs in the eighth inning.
Goodwin and Rossi opened the frame with base hits, placing runners at the corners. The player of the game, Peters, found himself in the action once again, singling to right field and scored Goodwin.
Castro loaded the bases on an infield single, threatening the run-rule victory. Stanley and James Love earned back-to-back walks to score Rossi and Peters. However, the 7-1 final score stayed put as Karsten Stotlar weaved his way out of the jam. O'Conor popped up to first base, stranding the bases-loaded opportunity.
A.J. Hiestand faced no trouble, closing the game in 2.0 innings of relief. Throwing 20 pitches, Hiestand allowed zero runs on zero hits.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 7 Runs, 13 Hits, 0 Errors
WIU: 1 Run, 6 Hits, 2 Errors
Tyler Conklin: 7.0 Innings, 6 Strikeouts, 6 Hits, 1 ER
Quade Peters: 3-4, 2B, 2x RBIs
Tyler Castro; 2-4, 2B, RBI
Brett Stanley: 2-4, 2x RBIs, BB
Up Next: Panthers will continue their final OVC series against WIU on Friday at 1:00 PM
