Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. – Corey Conklin's two-out, two-run triple in the top of the ninth inning sent the baseball team to a 4-3 win over Eastern Illinois in the Ohio Valley Conference series opener on Friday.
 
The Colonels (21-14, 8-5 OVC) entered the ninth trailing 3-2.  A.J. Lewis began the inning with a single to right and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.  The next batter popped up in foul territory along the first base line for the second out of the inning.  Freshman Logan Thomason kept EKU's hopes alive with a walk.  Conklin then sent the first pitch he saw into the right center gap to plate two runs and put the visitors in front by one.
 
The Panthers broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single through the left side by Trey Sweeney.  With two outs and runners at second and third base, closer Aaron Ochsenbein came in to pitch.  He threw one pitch and got a fly ball to end the threat.
 
Ochsenbein (3-0) retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth on a pair of ground balls and a strike out.
 
Logan Teague started for Eastern Kentucky and turned in his second quality start of the season.  The senior allowed three runs, two of which were earned, on eight hits in seven and one-third innings.  He walked one and struck out three.
 
Eastern Illinois starter Spenser Dexter limited EKU to two runs on seven hits in seven innings.  He struck out six and did not walk a batter.
 
Conklin's only hit proved to be the game-winner.  He went 1-for-2 with three RBIs.  Thomason was 2-for-2 with a walk, a run and an RBI.  Lewis finished 2-for-3 and scored twice.
 
Sweeney had two hits in four at bats and drove in three for the Panthers (16-18, 8-8 OVC).
 
The Colonels tied the game 2-2 in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Thomason and a sacrifice bunt by Conklin.
 
The series will conclude with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. ET.