Widdersheim Posts Pitching Win For EIU

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Sophomore catcher John Devito went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a triple and a run to lead the Panther baseball team over Illinois College, 8-5, Wednesday afternoon at Coaches Stadium. EIU extended its win streak to six games and improved to 12-18 on the year.

“If he (John Devito) doesn’t play well, we might not come away with a victory,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “He has been working hard in batting practice and I was impressed with what he did today.”

Trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the third, the Panthers scored six runs on one hit to take a 6-1 advantage. Illinois College pitcher Chris Irvin started the inning by walking five consecutive batters for the first two runs before Trey Russell drove in the third run on a sacrifice fly. Devito added a two-out, two RBI triple for the next two runs before crossing home plate on a wild pitch for the final run.

Nick Dalfonso hit a RBI single in the fourth inning to get the Blueboys (8-10) within four (6-2) before the Panthers added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh on RBI singles by Devito and Dane Sauer. Illinois College responded in the top of the next inning, scoring three runs on four hits to cut its deficit to three (8-5).

Illinois College took advantage of three hit batters in the top of the ninth by George Kalousek to get three runners on base, but the senior right-handed pitcher would retire the side to preserve the win.

Illinois College had five more hits (11-6) than EIU and committed two more errors (2-0). The Blueboys left eight more runners on base (16-8) in the contest.

Stewardson-Strasburg graduate Jaden Widdersheim (3-3) posted the win for EIU, striking out three batters and surrendering four hits and one run in 3.1 innings of work. Kalousek posted his second save of the year in the win.

Chris Irvin (0-2) took the loss for Illinois College, walking all five batters he faced without retiring any EIU players. All told, the Blueboys used eight pitchers who combined to walk nine batters with four strikeouts.

Dalfonso led the Blue Boy offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBI. Andrew Morris also went 1-for-2 with two RBI and a run.

The Panthers return to action on April 12-14 in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Tennessee Tech.