After Eastern Illinois and Morehead State split a doubleheader yesterday at Coaches Stadium, the two teams were back in action on Saturday squaring off in a single game to decide the series winner. The Panthers’ pitching staff once again held the Morehead State offense in check and the EIU offense came through in some key situations as Eastern Illinois won the series following a 6-2 win in the rubber game. The Panthers will continue their homestand with a non-conference game against Butler on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
With the win, Eastern Illinois improves to 9-37 (4-20 OVC). Morehead State drops to 27-22 (13-11 OVC).
The Panthers applied the pressure first against Morehead State right from the beginning putting a run across in the bottom of the first inning. Eastern Illinois got their first two batters on via a double by Joseph Duncan and Mitch Gasbarro being hit by a pitch. Morehead State tried rolling a double play on a groundball, but the throw to first base sailed wide and went into the Eastern Illinois dugout and brought home Duncan to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Morehead State answered back however in the top of the second to tie the game at 1-1. With runners on the corners, Jesus Carrera hit a groundball to first base. Hunter Morris stepped on the first and threw to second to try to turn the double play. The runner was initially safe at second, but slid past the bag as Nick Maton applied the tag, but not before Tyler Niemann crossed the plate at home.
With the game still knotted at 1-1 entering the bottom of the fifth inning, the Eastern Illinois offense once again got to the Morehead State starter Aaron Leasher. With one out in the inning, Duncan hit his second double of the game and got things going for the Panthers. Two wild pitches plated Ducan, with the second coming on a walk to Gasbarro. Demetre Taylor provided EIU with a two-run home run over the wall in center and gave the Panthers a 4-1 advantage.
The Panthers would add another run in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI single by Duncan.
Morehead State made the game interesting as they pulled within 5-2 following a solo home run by Carrera in the top of the seventh.
Eastern Illinois added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth on another RBI single off the bat of Duncan and took a 6-2 lead heading into the final frame.
Morehead State would not go down easy in the ninth however. With the bases loaded and one out, Eastern Illinois brought in Andy Fisher to close out the game. The move worked out perfectly as Fisher threw just one pitch to get a 6-4-3 double play to earn his fourth save of the season and second of the series.
Chase Thurston picked up his first win of the season, allowing just two runs in seven innings of work. Michael McCormick allowed just one hit in 1.1 innings pitched before making way for Fisher.
Duncan had a big day at the plate for the Panthers as he finished 4-for-5 with the two doubles and two RBIs. Tyler Tesmond also recorded two hits for Eastern Illinois.
EIU Wins Series with Morehead State
Effingham, IL / Effingham Radio
May 8, 2016 | 7:00 AM