Eastern Illinois (1-0): 7
@Southern Indiana (1-4): 3

The University of Southern Indiana baseball team fell victim to the long ball, losing 7-3 to Eastern Illinois University Friday afternoon at the USI Baseball Field. USI falls to 1-4 overall, while EIU goes to 1-0.

The EIU Panthers scored six of their seven runs on home runs. They posted tallies on a solo shot in the first inning, a two-run home run in the third, a solo shot in the sixth, and a two-run blast in the seventh. EIU added an insurance run in the eighth inning off a single and a double.

Trailing 3-0, USI tied the score with three runs in the fourth inning. Junior second baseman Adam Schiff (Evansville, Indiana) walked with one out and advanced to second on a ground out. Schiff scored USI's first run of the game on a single by sophomore rightfielder Adam Anderson (Raleigh, Illinois).

Anderson stole second and senior third baseman Brian Branson walked to put runners at first and second. They executed the perfect double steal and scored on a double down the rightfield line by freshman designated hitter Matt Keener (Newburgh, Indiana).

On the mound, junior right-hander Lonnie Baker (Lexington, Kentucky) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned) over seven innings. Baker also walked three, but struck out seven batters in the losing effort.

The Eagles will resume action Saturday, February 23, when they host Truman State University for a doubleheader. Start time on Saturday is noon. The two teams will conclude the three-game series Sunday, February 24, with a single game also starting at noon.