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CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Panther baseball team completed the Ohio Valley Conference series sweep of Murray State on Sunday afternoon with a 16-6 victory at Coaches Stadium. EIU scored 37 total runs throughout the weekend series.
 
The Panthers (10-18, 3-8 OVC) jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, scoring three runs in both the first and second innings. All told, EIU put runs on the scoreboard in all but two innings of play. 
 
“We had some big opposite field hits and hits with two outs,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “We had a meeting last week on our hitting and I am impressed how the guys have bought into our new approach and now we have started being successful.”
 
EIU had eight more hits (19-11) than Murray State and left four more runners on base (10-6). The Thoroughbreds (12-19, 6-9 OVC) had one error on the day while the Panthers did not have any miscues.
 
Six Panthers had two or more hits in the contest, led by Treysen Vavra who went 2-for-4 with three runs and three RBI. Nick Priessman went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run and Cameron Berra went 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs. Mitch Gasbarro and Caleb Howell each scored two runs and had two hits.
 
Matt Borens (1-4) earned his first win of the season, striking out seven batters in 6.1 innings of action. The sophomore pitcher allowed nine hits and six runs on the day. Ben Kennedy and Jaden Widdersheim combined to only allow two hits in 2.2 scoreless innings of relief.
 
“I was impressed with Matt (Borens) today,” added Schmitz. “He is a great guy to have on Sunday. He only had one walk with seven strikeouts, that's what we need to have from our Sunday starter to come away with a sweep.”
 
The Thoroughbreds used six pitchers on the day with starter Cody Maerz (1-1) taking the loss. He allowed seven hits and six runs (five earned) in 1.1 innings of work.
 
Mike Kozlowski went 2-for-4 with three RBI to pace Murray State at the plate. Brandon Elliott went 2-for-5 with two runs while Paul Ritzheimer added two runs and two hits.
 
The Panthers return to action at Illinois on Tuesday, April 9. First pitch is slated for 6:05 p.m.