Area Players Compete for EIU, SIUE Baseball During the Weekend

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Panther baseball team dropped game two of its weekend series at No. 25 Arkansas, 8-3, at Baum Stadium. EIU falls to 1-5 on the year.

Trailing 3-0 heading into the eighth inning, the Panthers tied the game by scoring three runs on three hits. Caleb Howell hit an RBI double to left field for the first run before Frankie Perrone hit a two-out, two-RBI single to right field for the final two runs.

“I was really proud of our guys and how we battled back late to tie the game,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Unfortunately, we made a costly defensive mistake in the eighth inning that led to some runs.”

The lead did not last long as the Razorbacks (5-0) responded in the bottom of the eighth inning by scoring five runs on three hits. Michael Gunn (1-0) retied the final three EIU batters in the following inning to close the game. He had one strikeout and did not allow a hit in 1.1 scoreless innings.

Chris Oliver made the start for the Razorbacks and allowed two hits while striking out four in six scoreless innings. Matt Borens was the starting pitcher for the Panthers as the junior pitcher surrendered four hits and two unearned runs in six innings of work. The junior pitcher had three strikeouts and did not issue any walks.

North Clay graduate Andrew Grahn pitched 0.1 inning for EIU, allowing one hit and one run.

The Panther baseball team was swept at No. 25 Arkansas, dropping the series finale, 8-3, Sunday afternoon at Baum Stadium. EIU falls to 1-6 on the year.

Trailing 2-0 heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Panthers scored three runs on one hit and one error to take a 3-2 advantage. Mitch Gasbarro scored the first run of the inning on a bases loaded walk before Demetre Taylor hit a two-out, two-RBI single through the right side for the final two runs.

The Razorbacks (6-0) responded by scoring six unanswered runs over the next two innings to regain a lead they would not relinquish. Arkansas scored two runs on one hit in the bottom of the seventh inning before adding four runs on four hits in the next frame for the final 8-3 ledger.

Stewardson-Strasburg graduate Jaden Widdersheim pitched 1.0 inning, allowing two hits, one run and giving up two walks for EIU.

SIUE Falls To New Mexico State

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Keaton Wright and Devin Caldwell combined for eight hits, six RBIs and two home runs Saturday  but it wasn't enough to withstand New Mexico State's offensive output, as the Aggies swept a baseball doubleheader from SIUE 16-12 and 12-2.

"The story today was we had too many guys pitching from behind," SIUE Head Coach Tony Stoecklin said. "We pitched from behind and pitched afraid."

Effingham graduate Chase Green had four at bats for SIUE with two hits, two walks and he drove in three runs.

The Cougars scored 12 runs on 15 hits in the opener, but it wasn't enough, as NMSU earned the 16-12 win.

SIUE baseball outhit New Mexico State 8-5 Sunday, but the Aggies earned a 4-1 win over the Cougars in the finale of a four-game series.

The Aggies (6-2) scored twice in the third inning and twice in the sixth inning to take the series, three games to one. Two of NMSU's four runs were unearned. The Aggies' Jory Goldstrom was 1 for 4, including a two-run double in the third inning, with three RBIs for the game.

Green had five at bats but did not garner a hit.