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CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team picked up a 7-6 win over Benedictine University on Wednesday afternoon at Coaches Stadium. EIU improves to 16-23 on the year.
 
“We haven't had a comeback win in a long time, so I was please with our performance this afternoon,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Darin Worman and Adam Clark were very sharp at the end of the game and that's good for us heading into the weekend. Defensively, I thought Caleb Howell played well in the outfield to cut down on some doubles and triples.” 
 
Tied at six heading into the bottom of the seventh, David Ciaglia scored from second on a costly error by the Benedictine centerfielder after mishandling a single up the middle by Brant Valach. It eventually would be the only insurance run the Panthers would need for the duration of the contest.
 
Senior relief-pitcher Adam Clark entered the game in the following inning and shutdown the Bulldogs. The Norwood, Ohio, native only allowed one hit while striking out three batters in the final two innings of play. He earned his second save of the season in the outing.
 
A T.J. McManus sacrifice fly in the first inning gave the Panthers a short lived 1-0 lead before Benedictine scored two runs in the top of the next frame. A two-RBI triple by Nick Priessman followed by a Ryan Dineen sacrifice fly put EIU up 4-2 after two complete innings of action.
 
The Bulldogs took a 6-4 advantage by scoring four unanswered runs over the next three innings before Jacob Reese tied the game with a two-out, two-RBI double to left center field in the sixth inning.
 
Darin Worman (3-3) picked up the win on the mound for EIU, striking out two and only allowing one hit in two innings out of the bullpen. Matt Borens made the start and surrendered eight hits and five runs (four earned) in 3.2 innings.
 
Offensively, three Panthers had two hits in the contest paced by Caleb Howell who went 2-for-4 with two runs as the leadoff hitter. Priessman was 1-for-4 with a run and two RBI while Reese also added two RBI.
 
Benedictine had one more hit (13-12) than the Panthers while EIU stranded three more runners on base (11-8). Both squads committed two errors in the game.
 
Seven pitchers saw action for Benedictine with Lucas Wright taking the loss. Wright surrendered two hits and an unearned run in one inning of play. Jake Hill made the start and allowed four hits and four runs in two innings. Offensively, Tommy Jennings led the Bulldogs as he went 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run.
 
The Panthers return to action on April 27-29 in Ohio Valley Conference action at Tennessee Tech. Game one of the weekend series is slated to start at 6 p.m. on Friday, April 27.