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HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Eastern Illinois pushed two runs across the plate in the top of ninth inning, but the comeback fell short as the Panthers dropped their season opener to Southern Mississippi, 6-2, on Friday evening at Pete Taylor Park.

“It was very good game and we misplayed two bunts by Southern Miss and that was the game in a nut shell,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We tried to bunt and couldn't get any down and Southern Miss put four bunts down and was able to score.”

In the top of the ninth, newcomer #T.J. McManus pinch hit for Nick Priessman# and collected a double to right field in his first at bat with the Panthers (1-0). Following a Daniel Rowe strike out, Zach Borenstein hit an RBI single up the middle to make the score 6-1. David Ciaglia struck out on EIU's next at bat before Jake Samuels hit an RBI double to center field to get the Panthers within four (6-2). EIU's late-inning rally fell short as Cam Strang struck out looking to end the game.

“With a broken toe, we didn't even think T.J. (McManus) was going to be making the trip,” said Schmitz. “We gave him an at bat late in the game and he hit a double off of the wall, so we are really excited for him.”

The Golden Eagles (1-0) got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on an EIU error and a wild pitch to take the early 2-0 advantage.

Southern Miss made the score 3-0 in the third inning on a Marc Bourgeois sacrifice fly before taking a 4-0 lead on a B.A. Vollmuth RBI single to left field in the fourth inning. The Golden Eagles pushed two more runs across the plate in the seventh inning to take a 6-0 advantage.

EIU had a chance to get on the board in the top of the seventh with a runner on first and third with no outs, but a double play on a Samuels fielder's choice would leave Samuels stranded on first with two outs. Samuels was forced out at second on the next play on a Strang fielder's choice.

Mike Hoekstra (0-1) took the loss for the Panthers, throwing three strikeouts and allowing six hits and three earned runs in four innings of work. Newcomers Luke Bushur and Darin Worman both saw action on the mound in their fist games with EIU. 

“Another positive we took from today was Luke Bushur's performance,” said Schmitz. “He was three up three down on the mound (in the eighth inning).”

Todd McInnis (1-0) recorded the victory for Southern Miss as he threw seven strikeouts and gave up five hits in eight innings of action.

Borenstein led the Panthers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Samuels was 1-for-4 with an RBI. Newcomers Cameron Berra and Jacob Reese both picked up a hit in their first game with EIU.

“(Jacob) Reese did really well behind the plate,” said Schmitz. “He played with a lot of excitement and energy. Cameron (Berra) also played at first base for the first time and did real well.”

Both teams collected two doubles on the evening. The Golden Eagles left a total of 10 runners stranded on the base paths while EIU had four runners left on base.

The second contest of the three-game series with Southern Miss is slated to begin at 1 p.m. (CST) on Saturday, Feb. 19.

“Overall, it was our first day out of a gym and I think we looked okay,” said Schmitz. “We will see what the next two days will bring.”