Photo Gallery (by Sandy King)
The EIU offense scored six runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to rally from behind for the series sweep. Eastern Illinois remains tied for first place in the OVC with SIUE. With the win, EIU moves to 28-15 (15-6 OVC), while SEMO falls to 31-16 (12-9 OVC).
Eastern Illinois won the series finale in the 7th inning. The RedHawks' nightmare, including six Panther runs.
Chris Worcester began the frame with a single to left field, tying the game at 3-3 by scoring Tyler Castro. James Love followed with a base hit and advanced to second on a wild pitch shortly after reaching base.
SEMO wanted no part of Mike O'Conor, intentionally walking him first, which loaded the bases. EIU took a 4-3 lead after Peyton Wilson earned a four-pitch walk, scoring Worcester.
With the bases jammed, Dylan Drumke made the highlight play of the weekend, smashing a grand slam to left field. Wilson, O'Conor, and Love each scored to pull away from SEMO 8-3.
Prior to the offensive explosion, EIU broke the scoreless scoreboard with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Small-ball baseball was used to perfection, with Drumke opening the frame with a single, followed by Colin Horneman reaching on a walk.
Quade Peters loaded the bases with a high-bouncing infield center to third base. Castro collected his 22nd RBI of the season with a blooping single to third base, plating Drumke.
Panthers starter Dalton Boruff held the SEMO offense quiet until the fourth inning, where the RedHawks scored three runs.
Boruff was credited with the three runs and replaced by Anothony Solis in the middle of the fourth inning. He finished with 3.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs and collecting two strikeouts.
After a wild start, Solis settled down in relief, holding the RedHawks scoreless in 4.2 innings.
Trailing 3-1, Eastern Illinois continued to remain in the hunt with a run in the sixth inning. Mike O'Conor went 1-3, collecting his 9th double of the season, moving Love into scoring position. Peyton Wilson hit his 5th sacrifice fly to right field to cut the deficit to 3-2.
Once the Panthers found their rhythm, the pitching staff was stellar, holding the RedHawks to three runs on only four hits. The RedHawks hit .129 against the Panther arms.
On the mound, Anthony Solis collected his third win of the season, moving to 3-2. Solis tossed 4.2 scoreless innings, collecting two strikeouts. For the RedHawks, Jackson Kranawetter was credited for his first loss of the season after allowing five runs in 1.0 innings.
Offensively, Peyton Wilson and Dylan Drumke led the way, finishing with six combined RBIs. Drumke ended with two hits, including the four-RBI grand slam. Wilson finished with a hit and two RBIs. Stanley, Drumke, and Peters each earned two hits.
By The Numbers:
EIU: 8 Runs, 13 Hits, 1 Error
SEMO: 3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors
Dylan Drumke: 2-4 with 4 RBIs, HR
Peyton Wilson: 1-2 with 2x RBIs
James Love: 3-5, 2B
Anthony Solis: (W, 3-2), 4.2 innings, 0 ER, 2 H, 2 SO
Up Next: Eastern Illinois will face SIUE next weekend for a crucial OVC series. The Panthers will honor their group of seniors on Sunday, May 10th.
