Eastern Illinois concluded the regular season with their third OVC series sweep after beating WIU 13-9. The Panthers finish the regular season with a 31-19 (18-9 OVC), while Western Illinois finishes with a 17-36 (8-19 OVC). After today's victory, EIU will enter the OVC Tournament with the second seed. The conference tournament will take place next week in Marion, Illinois.
The Panthers used their high-powered offense to speed past the Leathernecks in the final game of the series. EIU scored 13 runs on 16 hits, which featured every Panther batter collecting a hit. There were six different Panthers with multiple hits. Furthering their offensive execution, four different Panthers collected multiple RBIs, while seven of the nine batters recorded a walk.
Peyton Wilson led the way for the Panthers, finishing with two hits and four RBIs, including a two-run home run in the 3rd inning, extending EIU's lead to 5-1. Wilson secured his third RBI in the top of the 5th inning with a single to left field, scoring Mike O'Conor. The Panthers scored three runs on three hits in the fifth to take a commanding 8-2 advantage.
The Leathernecks rebounded in the home half of the 5th inning with three runs on two hits to cut the deficit to 8-5.
Jack Helms made his second start of the season but was the victim of five earned runs. Helm struck out six WIU batters in 4.1 innings of work to keep the Panthers in front.
Anthony Solis provided another solid outing out of the bullpen, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while striking out four.
With the lead dwindling, the EIU offense stepped up once again, scoring three runs in the 7th inning.
With Tyler Castro in scoring position, James Love singled to left field to reach double-digit scoring for the 16th time this season. Shortly after, Mike O'Conor drove Brett Stanley and Love home with a double to left field. Along with Wilson, O'Conor finished with four RBIs. He also collected three hits and a stolen base.
The dozen runs scored proved to be needed as the Leathernecks threatened a late rally. WIU had Dalton Boruff's number in relief, smashing back-to-back base hits to begin the bottom of the 8th inning. Following a hit-by-pitch and a walk, WIU put their sixth run on the board. Coach Anderson called James Geshel out of the bullpen, but Western Illinois continued to surge, scoring three more runs to cut the deficit to 12-9.
EIU added an insurance run in the 9th, and Geshel held off the Leathernecks for a 13-9 regular season final win.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 13 Runs, 16 Hits, 1 Error
WIU: 9 Runs, 14 Hits, 1 Error
Mike O'Conor: 3-5, 4 RBIs, BB, 2B
Peyton Wilson: 2-5, 4 RBIs, HR
James Love: 2-5, 2 RBIs, 3B, BB
Tyler Castro: 2-5, 3 Runs
Up Next: Panthers will head to the OVC Tournament in Marion, Illinois.
