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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Freshman pitcher Jake Johansmeier threw a career-high five strikeouts and went a career-long seven innings on Friday afternoon, leading the Panther baseball team to a 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference series-opening win over Southeast Missouri. Game two of the weekend series is slated for 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 20.
 
Johansmeier struggled in the first inning as he walked three batters and allowed one run, but he eventually settled down and struck out the final two batters in the frame to get out of the jam. The St. Charles, Ill., native only allowed four hits and improved to 2-2 on the season.
 
“Coach Anderson made a hard decision heading into the weekend to start Johansmeier,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “It turned out to be a great decision as Jake did well today. It was a big Friday win for us and for Jake as they haven't come to often this season.”
 
The Panthers (13-21, 4-11 OVC) responded in the bottom of the first inning to tie the game at one, scoring one run on three SEMO errors.
 
EIU added runs over the next two innings to take a three-run lead (4-1). Caleb Howell hit a two-out RBI double in the second inning for the first run before Demetre Taylor hit a two-RBI double in the third inning for the final Panther runs.
 
“Demetre (Taylor) had a key hit for us today,” said Schmitz. “I also think we played really good defense, especially towards the end of the game with some plays made by Brant Valach and Dane Sauer.”
 
The Redhawks (19-20, 11-8 OVC) got within two (4-2) in the eighth inning, scoring one run on one hit off of relief pitcher Ben Kennedy. Garrison Stenger pitched the final inning for the Panthers as the sophomore did not allow any hits or runs to earn his first career save.
 
EIU had one more hit (6-5) than SEMO and committed one less error (3-2). The Redhawks left three more runners on base (8-5) in the contest.
 
Nick Priessman went 2-for-4 with a run to pace the Panther offense while Taylor went 1-for-4 with two RBI. Howell also added a hit and a RBI.
 
Zack Smith (2-4) pitched a complete game for the Redhawks, striking out one while allowing six hits and four runs (three earned) in eight innings of play. Andy Lennington led the team at the plate as the third baseman went 2-for-4 with two RBI.