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CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team picked up a 14-4 win over Benedictine University on Wednesday afternoon at Coaches Stadium. EIU improved to 9-3 when playing at home.
 
The Panthers improved to 15-22 on the year while Benedictine dropped to 18-22. EIU returns to action at Belmont on April 26-28 in a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.
 
EIU scored five runs on three hits and one error in the second inning to take an early 5-0 advantage. The Panthers added three more runs in the next inning to take an 8-0 lead before the Bulldogs scored three unanswered runs over the fourth and fifth innings to get within five (8-3).
 
The Panthers added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning on a Tyler Schweigert two-run homer to make the score 10-3. EIU scored four runs on five hits in the next frame to take its largest lead, 14-3, before Benedictine's Jared Klay hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning to make the final ledger, 14-4.
 
EIU posted five more hits (15-10) than Benedictine and left two fewer runners on base (11-9). The Bulldogs had two errors in the contest while the Panthers did not have any miscues.
 
All told, five different Panthers had two or more hits in the game. Brant Valach led the team at the plate, going 3-for-5 with three runs and a RBI. Treysen Vavra went 2-for-4 with two RBI while Trey Russell went 2-for-2 with two RBI, a run and his first career home run. EIU hit four home runs in the victory.
 
“We did a nice job on offense,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “Guys like Trey Russell and John Devito who don't get to play a lot did well this afternoon as Russell had two hits and Devito added a big double.”
 
Luke Bushur (1-0) earned the win on the mound for EIU, striking out two and only allowing two hits in two scoreless innings of work. EIU used six total pitchers who combined to record eight strikeouts to four walks.
 
“Ben Kennedy was sharp today,” said Schmitz. “It was nice to have Luke Bushur and Jaden Widdersheim healthy and looking good today as we will need that depth in the bullpen this upcoming weekend.”
 
Tristan Molumby (4-5) took the loss for Benedictine, allowing five runs (four earned) and three hits with four walks in 1.1 innings of work. Tommy Jennings led the offense as the third baseman went 3-for-4 with two runs.