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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Sophomore infielder Brant Valach went 2-for-4 at the plate with three RBI, a homer and a run to lead the Panther baseball team to a 5-3 win over Indiana State on Wednesday, May 8.
 
Trailing 2-1 heading into the top of the sixth inning, the Panthers (17-26) scored three runs on one hit to take a 4-2 advantage over the Sycamores (18-22). Mitch Gasbarro scored the first run after Nick Priessman hit into a double play. Valach drove home the final two runs with a homer down the left-field line, his third long ball of the season.
 
Tyler Wampler hit a ground out RBI in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut the Indiana State deficit to one (4-3) before Valach gave the Panthers an insurance run in the following inning with a RBI single to right field, making the score 5-3.
 
EIU had three more hits (10-7) than Indiana State and left two fewer runners on base (8-6). Both squads committed one error in the contest.
 
Four Panthers had two or more hits on the night. Gasbarro went 2-for-4 with a run while Jason Scholl went 2-for-2 with a run and a RBI. Caleb Howell also added two hits.
 
“It was great to see some new guys play well tonight,” said Eastern Illinois head coach Jim Schmitz. “(Jason) Scholl got the offense started while (Mitch) Gasbarro also played great.”
 
Matt Borens (3-4) earned the win for EIU, striking out three without allowing a hit in two scoreless innings of relief. Joe Greenfield pitched the final inning as the junior pitcher did not allow any runs to post his second save of the season.
 
Tyler Pazik (0-1) took the loss for the Sycamores, allowing three runs and one hit in 1.1 innings of relief. Robby Ort went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI to lead the Indiana State offense.
 
The Panthers return to action on May 10-12 at Morehead State. Game one of the Ohio Valley Conference series is slated for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, May 10.