EIU Baseball Team Completes Blue-Grey World Series

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team recently completed its annual Blue-Grey World Series to wrap up the fall season. The Blue Team defeated the Grey Team in the five-game series at Coaches Stadium.

Game 1 (10/10) – Grey 3, Blue 2: The Grey Team opened the series in dramatic fashion as Alex Cain hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Grey Team a 3-2 victory. Matt Borens pitched four scoreless innings for the Blue Team in the loss.

Game 2 (10/11) – Blue 4, Grey 3: The Blue Team bounced back in game two, defeating the Grey Team, 4-3, in 11 innings. Marshawn Taylor hit a bases loaded walk-off single to seal the victory while Christian Slazinik provided four scoreless innings of work on the mound.

Game 3 (10/17) – Grey 4, Blue 1: Game three highlights included Matt Borens throwing four strong innings again behind teammate Jake Haberer who threw two scoreless innings as the starting pitcher. Mitch Gasbarro hit a solo home run for the Grey Team while Adam Casson added two hits.

Game 4 (10/18) – Blue 4, Grey 0: The Blue Team posted a shutout behind a strong performance from Christian Slazinik who threw five scoreless innings with six strikeouts while only surrendering two hits. Offensively, Troy Vandenbroek went 2-for-2 with a home run and Marshawn Taylor and John Devito both added a double.

Game 5 (10/18) – Blue 4, Grey 1: Jaden Widdersheim, Stewardson-Strasburg graduate, pitched four strong innings for the Blue Team while Chase Thurston pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen to secure the series finale. Demetre Taylor drove in the game winning run in the victory following a double by Brant Valach.

Head coach Jim Schmitz
Thoughts on the fall world series…

“Pitching dominated most of the fall games. I was impressed with the progress of Matt Borens, Christian Slazinik and Jaden Widersheim. Some pitchers are still rehabbing (Troy Barton, Garrison Stenger and Luke Bushur) so we were short handed on games. If those three come back healthy we have a good problem of too many arms.”

“Freshman RHP Jake Haberer really came on and has a chance to be impressive.”

Overall thoughts from the fall season…

“The biggest concern right now is outfield play. Caleb Howell (injury) was not able to play centerfield so I could not see if he can cover the outfield like we need. Cameron Berra (also plays on the football team) was not around, but we need to see better outfield play.”

“I thought the infield played well at times. Marshawn Taylor shows glimpses of great play, but just needs the confidence to make the routine play more routine. Mitch Gasbarro came on at the end of the fall and he is the catalyst we need at the top of the order.”

“Overall, it’s always good going into spring knowing we will pitch it well. We need to be more consistent on defense.”

“Offensively, I think we have the bats, speed and action guys to score more runs. Some of the guys are buying into this approach. We are not going to smash the ball so we must find other ways to score.”