CHARLESTON, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Baseball lost the series opener at  Eastern Illinois University, 13-3, Friday evening at Coaches Stadium in Charleston, Illinois. USI is 20-15 overall and 4-6 in the Ohio Valley Conference this season, while EIU goes to 19-11, 8-2 OVC.
 
The Screaming Eagles fell behind early with the Panthers scoring six in the second and three in the third to lead 9-0. USI closed the gap, 9-3, with a trio of runs the top of the fourth.
 
USI graduate rightfielder Noah Foster started the scoring by scoring on a balk. Junior third baseman Collin Senior was the second to cross the plate, scoring on a groundout by senior catcher Micajah Wall, while the final run was scored by junior second baseman Parter Martin on a single by junior leftfielder Ethan Rothschild.
 
The Panthers would go on to score one more in the fourth and sixth before closing out the game with two in the seventh.
 
The loss on the mound went to junior right-hander Abdriel Figueroa. Figueroa (2-3) allowed the nine runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out two in three innings.
 
Up Next for the Screaming Eagles:
 
The Screaming Eagles continue the three-game series at EIU and their five-game road swing with a 1 p.m. first pitch Saturday. USI and EIU finish the series Sunday at 1 p.m.