EIU Drops 11-2 Baseball Loss

ST. LOUIS – The Billikens baseball team defeated Eastern Illinois, 11-2, on Tuesday night at the Billikens Sports Complex. EIU falls to 14-29-1 on the year.

Saint Louis (25-17) scored six runs on five hits in the first inning to take an early lead. A Cameron Berra RBI single in the top of the fourth inning made the score 6-1 before the Billikens added three runs on four hits in the bottom of the frame to take an eight-run lead (9-1).

EIU scored its final run in the top of the fifth inning on a John Devito solo home run before Saint Louis scored two runs on three hits in the bottom of the frame to make the score, 11-2.

The Billikens had seven more hits (14-7) than EIU and left three fewer runners on base (7-4). Neither team committed an error in the contest.

Devito led the Panther offense as he finished the day 1-for-2 at the plate. Brant Valach went 1-for-3 with a run.

Chase Thurston (0-4) took the loss for EIU as the freshman pitcher allowed six runs and three hits in 0.2 innings of action. EIU used five pitchers in the game who combined to throw seven strikeouts and issue three walks. Those pitchers included two local graduates. Luke Bushur, a Teutopolis alumni, went one inning, allowing three hits and two runs. North Clay graduate Andrew Grahn went 3.1 innings, allwoing senve htis, three runs and struck out four.

Damian Rivera (3-4) earned the win for Saint Louis, surrendering three hits and one run in four innings of action. Drew Curtis led the Billikens offense as he went 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBI.

The Panthers return to action at Eastern Kentucky in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series on May 2-4.