BOX (PDF)  |  BOX (HTML)

CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team defeated UT Martin, 6-2, on Saturday afternoon at Coaches Stadium in game two of the Ohio Valley Conference series. EIU improves to 23-25 (13-9 OVC) on the year.
 
Tied at one heading into the bottom of the fourth inning, the Panthers regained the lead by scoring five runs on four hits to take a 6-1 advantage they would never relinquish. A two-RBI double by Ben Thoma scored the first two runs before the third run crossed home plate on an RBI single by Brant Valach. After Nathan Sopena drove in the fourth run on a sacrifice bunt, Caleb Howell tallied on the final run with a RBI single up the middle.
 
Chase Okey hit an RBI single through the left side in the top of the sixth to get UT Martin within four (6-2), but it would be the only run the Skyhawks would score for the duration of the contest.
 
Okey got the Skyhawks on the scoreboard first with an RBI single to left centerfield in the first inning, giving UT Martin an early 1-0 lead. Valach knotted the contest at one in the second inning with an RBI double down the right-field line.
 
Troy Barton (8-4) picked up the win for EIU, striking out four batters and only allowing four hits and two runs in 7.1 innings of work. After giving up two hits and one run in the first inning, Barton settled down to only allow three UT Martin players get on base through the next 6.1 innings. Darin Worman pitched the final 1.2 innings and only surrendered one hit while striking out three batters.
 
“Troy has been a guy for us all year and has been consistent,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We moved him up in the rotation with the upcoming OVC Tournament. He did great today and made it a quick day on the mound going after the hitters with his fastball.”
 
Offensively, the Panthers were led by Valach who finished the day going 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run. Howell added two hits while Thoma drove in two batters on the day.
 
“(Brant) Valach is an RBI guy,” said Schmitz. “Having a guy that deep in the lineup who can drive in a run for us is great.”
 
EIU had four more hits (9-5) than UT Martin and did not commit any errors to the Skyhawks one miscue. Both teams left four runners on base.
 
Alex Boshers (0-5) took the loss for the Skyhawks, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned) in four innings of action. Okey led the team at the plate as he went 3-for-4 with two RBI.
 
The final game of the series is slated to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 13. EIU will recognize its seven seniors prior to the start of the contest.