O’FALLON, Mo. – In a neutral-site wood bat game, Eastern Illinois baseball was unable to score until the eighth inning and lost to Missouri, 7-4, Tuesday evening at T.R. Hughes Ballpark.
The Panthers (32-10) collected nine hits, four coming in the top of the eighth.
Zach Borenstein went 4-for-5, posting his first career four-hit effort. He also reached safely on a ninth-inning error.
Missouri (25-21) used nine pitchers in the game. Only starter Ryan Clubb and closer Brad Buehler worked more than inning, as EIU faced a different pitcher in every frame from the third through eighth innings. In each of the Panthers’ three midweek losses this season, the opposition has used at least five pitchers.
Cam Strang ignited the eighth-inning rally with a pinch hit single to right center. Borenstein followed with a line drive to center that got away from the center fielder on a short hop, allowing both runners to move up a base.
Jordan Tokarz followed with a two-run single down the right field line. Eastern then caught a break when the Mizzou pitcher dropped a flip to first on a ground ball to the first baseman.
Zach Skidmore reached safely on the play.
Jordan Kreke plated both runners with a double to right center.
The Panthers’ only other quality scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning. Borenstein singled through the right side with one out and Tokarz drew a walk. Both runners moved up a base on a throwing error by the Mizzou catcher trying to pickoff Tokarz at first. But Skidmore lined out to left and
Jake Samuels grounded out to second to end the inning.
Eastern had two early base runners erased by a fly-ball double play and pickoff at first base, respectively.
Mike Martin pitched well in relief, working three innings of one-run ball. That lone run he gave up scored after he left the game in the seventh. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
Missouri scored twice in the second inning and three times in the following frame. Although the five runs
Brian Morrell (3-2) surrendered were earned, his teammates did not help his cause by committing three errors behind him. The Tigers capitalized on consecutive walks to open the second. In the third, Aaron Senne hit a long home run over the bullpen in right center with a runner aboard.
The Panthers return to action Wednesday for a 6:30 p.m. neutral-site game against Southern Illinois at Peterson Park in Mattoon. Pregame autograph sessions for both teams begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free and fans will be allowed to keep foul balls.
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Ben Turner, Asst. SID