Mike O'Conor saves the day for the Panthers with a home run in the top of the ninth inning. Ethan Rossi would add the eventual go-ahead run later that inning to secure the victory. The Panthers improve to 30-19 (17-9 OVC), while the Leathernecks fall to 17-35 (8-18 OVC). Eastern Illinois has now reached 30 wins in four of the past five seasons.
Unable to close the door on the Leathernecks, the Panthers suffered four runs, watching their 7-3 lead disappear.
With the game knotted up 7-7, O'Conor crushed his 15th home run on a full count to retake the lead. The Panthers were able to add insurance later in the inning to secure the series-clinching victory. Chris Worcester's only hit of the day was a single to second base, followed by Peyton Wilson reaching on a walk. With a runner in scoring position, Rossi drove the eventual go-ahead run with a base knock to left field, scoring Worcester.
Prior to the chaotic finish, both teams traded punches, with Western Illinois controlling the lead with a 2-1 advantage heading into the top of the fourth inning.
The fourth-inning scoring surge was highlighted by a lead-off double by Zak Goodwin. Wilson followed with a single to second base, and Ethan Rossi capped the rally with a towering shot to center field, extending the lead to 4-1.
Prior to the seventh-inning stretch, EIU shoved three more runs to take a commanding 7-3 lead. After Castro was picked off at second base, Brett Stanley reached on a fielder's choice. James Love moved Stanley 90 feet away from home plate with his 18th double of the season.
EIU would take advantage of the Leathernecks' miscues with Worcester reaching first on an error by Josh McClintock, scoring Stanley.
Moments later, Goodwin singled to center field, scoring Love for his 43rd RBI of the year.
WIU rallied against reliever James Geshel in the seventh inning, platting three runs on four hits to cut the deficit to one heading into the final two innings. The Leathernecks would eventually tie the game with a leadoff home run in the following inning, before Eastern Illinois held a series-clinching victory.
Bryce Riggs was solid in his 12th start of the year, striking out six batters in 6.0 innings and allowing three runs.
Anthony Solis earned his fourth win of the season, holding on late for the Panthers, tossing 2.0 innings of relief, and suffering one run.
Rossi and O'Conor led the way offensively, with Rossi finishing 2-4 with four RBIs and a home run. O'Conor also had a home run along with two RBIs.
Eight out of the nine Panther batters had a hit, including four with multi-hit games.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 9 Runs, 14 Hits, 0 Errors
WIU: 8 Runs, 13 Hits, 2 Errors
Ethan Rossi: 2-4, 4 RBIs, HR
Mike O'Conor: 1-4, HR, 2 RBIs
Zak Goodwin: 3-5. 2B
James Love: 3-5, 2B
Up Next: EIU will look to complete the series sweep on Saturday at 1:00 P.M.
