HAMMOND, La. – Mike Recchia gave up only one run while striking out a career-high 10 over eight innings, leading Eastern Illinois baseball to a rubber game victory at Southeastern Louisiana, 5-1, Sunday afternoon in the finale of the three-game, season-opening series.

Jordan Tokarz extended his hitting streak to nine games dating back to last season with a two-run single in the seventh inning. Alex Gee, Zach Skidmore and Zach Borenstein also collected an RBI.

Recchia (1-0) gave up only four hits and retired the final 16 batters he faced in order. He struck out the final hitter of an inning six times and registered at least one strikeout in every inning he worked but the eighth. He did not issue a walk either.

 

“His off speed pitches were over (the plate), throwing the curve ball for a strike,” EIU head coach Jim Schmitz said. “He worked both sides of the plate and had a seven- or eight-pitch inning after we went ahead (in the fourth). We were going to take him out but he just kept putting together 1-2-3 innings, so we let him be extended. He finished at right about 100 pitches.”

Brett Nommensen drew three free passes (two walks and a hit by pitch) and scored on Skidmore's two-out single in the seventh, but saw his 14-game hitting streak dating back to last season come to an end.

 

The Panthers (2-1) scored twice in the fourth inning and three times in seventh.

 

Skidmore reached on an error to open the fourth and scored on Gee's subsequent double down the left field line. Despite the wind blowing in, Schmitz said he was surprised the ball didn't go for a home run. Borenstein plated Gee with his first collegiate hit, a single down the left field line.

 

Borenstein also walked to begin the seventh and advanced on a pinch-hit single by Jake Samuels. Gerik Wallsten moved up both runners with a sacrifice bunt. With first base open, SELU (1-2) intentionally walked Nommensen.

 

After hitting a grand slam in similar scenario Saturday, Tokarz delivered again with the bases loaded, singling to right center. Skidmore followed with an opposite-field single to left, plating Nommensen.

 

“Their [starter] pitched well for a while, too, so it was just a good game,” Schmitz said. “We strung together a couple different hits in the seventh. They kept walking Nommensen and Tokarz delivered behind him to break it open. Borenstein and Wallsten both got to play. Wallsten made a nice defensive play in the first inning, throwing out a runner at second after blocking a pitch in the dirt. And Jake Samuels got another pitch hit.”

 

The Lions scored their lone run in the second inning thanks to consecutive two-out hits. A double to right center plated a runner from first base. SELU had the bases loaded an inning later after Recchia hit consecutive batters, but the sophomore ended the threat by striking out the No. 5 hitter in the SELU lineup.

 

Recchia joins Josh Mueller as active EIU pitchers with a 10-strikeout performance on their résumés. Richie Derbak pitched the ninth, erasing the leadoff single he gave up by inducing the SELU cleanup hitter to roll into a 6-4-3 double play.

 

Though they qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2008, the Panthers only won one series at an opponent's home field a season ago.

Eastern returns to action Friday when it travels to Evansville, Ind. for Dunn Hospitality Diamond Classic. The Panthers begin their three-game weekend vs. Saint Louis at 1 p.m. Friday.

More Info: Contact Ben Turner, Asst. SID