Box Score I Play-by-Play

RICHMOND, Ky. – Visiting Eastern Illinois avoided the sweep on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers took a commanding six-run lead into the bottom of the third inning and then held on to defeat the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team, 9-7, in the finale of this weekend’s Ohio Valley Conference series at Turkey Hughes Field.

With the loss, EKU drops to 16-17 (8-4 OVC) on the season. By salvaging Sunday’s game, EIU improves to 14-19 (5-6 OVC).

Sophomore right-hander Blake Bottoms (0-3) picked up the loss for EKU, working just 2.1 innings and allowing five runs on three hits. Junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani came on in the top of the fourth and pitched serviceably over the next 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three batters. Bazzani did surrender six walks, though.

Right-hander Troy Barton (5-4) earned the win for EIU, going five innings and allowing five runs (only three of them earned) on six hits.

T.J. McManus got EIU going with a two-run home run in the top of the first, and the Panthers used the momentum from that long ball to grab a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.

In the bottom of the third, however, EKU responded as junior Austin Grisham blasted a two-out, opposite field home run to put the Colonels on the board. After senior Jacob Daniel singled, sophomore Bryan Soloman launched a two-run home run to left field to cut EIU’s lead in half, 6-3.

EKU clawed even closer in the bottom of the fifth as senior Dustin Dunlop delivered with two outs, driving a triple into the gap in left center to score Daniel and Soloman and bring the Colonels to within one run, 6-5.

In the top of the sixth, though, EIU put together a two-out rally of its own as Ryan Dineen drew a two-out walk and Nick Priessman followed that up with a two-run shot to right-center to give the Panthers some breathing room, 8-5.

After McManus gave EIU even more breathing room with a solo shot to right-center in the top of the ninth, EKU rallied in the bottom of the ninth but fell just short. Freshman pinch-hitter John Wilson started the rally with a one-out double down the right field line. The next batter, Daniel, then ripped a triple into left-center, scoring Wilson and making the score 9-6. Soloman followed that up with a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Daniel and cutting EIU’s lead to two. Dunlop, however, promptly grounded out to end the threat and the game.

Soloman finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to pace the EKU offense. Daniel also had a big day at the plate, batting 2-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Daniel’s batting average is now hovering just under .300 (.298).

McManus led EIU offensively, going 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.

EKU will now face Appalachian State in a two-game midweek series before hosting first-place Austin Peay in a pivotal OVC series next weekend at Turkey Hughes Field.