EIU Falls to 0-5 on Season

After falling behind three runs after the first inning, an Eastern Illinois comeback fell just short as Central Arkansas was able to hold off the Panthers for a 4-2 victory in the first game of the four-game series Friday night. EIU fell to 0-5 on the season, as UCA improves to 2-3. The two teams will square off again tomorrow for a double-header with the first game set to start at 12 p.m.

Ty Tice doubled to left center and came around to score shortly after on a Brandon Montalvo single to put the home team up early 1-0. The Bears would continue the inning with a double by Cody Davenport to put runners at second and third. Hunter Strong drove the pair in with a single up the middle to give the Bears a 3-0 lead after the first inning.

Jimmy Govern singled and moved up to second following a Tyler Tesomond walk to start the third inning for the Panthers. The two moved up ninety feet following a passed ball. Key situational hitting by EIU’s Joseph Duncan put EIU on the board. Duncan grounded out to third base, as Govern touched home to make the score 3-1.

Doubles by Mitch Gasbarro and Tesmond provided the offense for EIU in the fifth inning. Gasbarro led off the inning with his double down to left field, as Tesmond drove in Gasbarro on his double down the right field line to cut the Central Arkansas lead to 3-2.

After settling in and allowing just three hits after the first inning, EIU starter Matt Wivinis (0-2) ran into trouble in the seventh inning. A walk and a hit batter started the inning for UCA. Following a sacrifice bunt, the Bears had runners at second and third with only one out. Tyler Langley singled to right center to score another run for UCA 4-2. Wivinis worked out of the jam with minimal damage as he got the next UCA batter to ground into a double play.

For the second time in as many games, Dane Toppel came off the bench to pinch hit in the ninth and reached base on a single. Jacob Murray came in and closed the door on the Panther offense for his first save of the season.

Connor Gilmore (1-1) went eight innings for UCA in the win. Wivinis went the distance for EIU, going eight innings in the loss.

Toppel, Gasbarro, Govern, and Tesmond each had a hit for EIU. UCA ended with eight hits in the game, as Tice went 2-for-4 to lead the Bears.