Headlining the returnees was former head coach J.W. Sanders, who led EIU to an 84-49 record in his three seasons as the leader of the program from 1975-77. Twelve of his former players and his graduate assistant coach Ken Whitten were all in attendance at the alumni weekend this year.
The current Panthers ended a three-game losing streak in the alumni game, rallying for a 7-6 victory. The alumni jumped out to an early 4-0 lead behind key hits from Melesio Salazar (c/o 1995) and Alex Guttsoch (c/o 2009). But
Zach Borenstein connected for a three-run homer off his former teammate
Brian Morrell (c/o 2009) and
Ben Thoma delivered a two-run double in the ninth inning.
Participants in Saturday's golf outing at Meadowview Golf Course in Mattoon traveled from as far away as Arizona, Florida and Colorado. Three members from the class of 1995, Rob Nicholes, Chris Hall and Salazar, teamed up with EIU assistant coach Skylar Meade to post the top team score at the outing. Nicholes also won the longest drive contest. Sanders recorded the longest drive with a Fungo bat.
Eastern head coach
Jim Schmitz thanked all the former Panthers that attended the weekend festivities and was hopeful they would return for future alumni events.
