BOX (PDF)  |  BOX (HTML)

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Junior Nick Priessman went 4-for-5 with four RBI, a run and a stolen base to lift the Panther baseball team over Tennessee Tech, 9-8, on Saturday afternoon at the Averitt Baseball Complex.

“We had another great comeback win,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “It's a good sign for us that we have won three OVC games in a row. We hung in there all game and I am proud of the guys.
 
“Nick Priessman had a great day at the plate and Adam Clark was on cue out of the bullpen and got a big save for us.” 
 
Trailing 5-3 heading into the top of the sixth inning, EIU scored five runs on four hits to take a four-run advantage. Nick Priessman hit a two-out, three-run homer to score the first three runs before a two-RBI double by Jacob Reese drove in the final two runs.
 
An RBI single to left field by Priessman scored an insurance run to make the score 9-5 in the eighth inning before Tennessee Tech fought back and got within one (9-8) in the bottom of the frame by scoring three runs on three hits.
 
EIU got on the scoreboard first, scoring three runs in the top of the fourth on RBI singles by David Ciaglia, Brant Valach and Caleb Howell. The early lead did not last long as the Golden Eagles added two runs in the bottom of the inning – scoring on a wild pitch and an RBI triple by Evan Frazier.
 
The Panthers had six more hits (14-8) in the game and left two fewer runners on base (11-9). Neither team committed an error.
 
Reese added a 2-for-5 plate performance with two RBI while Howell went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Valach chipped in three hits, an RBI and a run.
 
Luke Bushur (2-1) earned the win on the mound for EIU, allowing one hit in 0.2 innings of work. Christian Slazinik made the start and went 4.2 innings, striking out seven and surrendering three hits and five runs. Adam Clark threw three strikeouts in the game's final 1.2 innings and posted his third save of the year.
 
Matthew Shepherd (4-3) took the loss for TTU, allowing nine hits and six runs in 5.2 innings. Chad Hayes led the Golden Eagles at the plate as he was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.
 
The final game of the Ohio Valley Conference series between EIU and TTU is slated for Sunday, April 29 at 1 p.m.