The Panthers are getting pretty good at making comebacks.

After winning four of its last five games in the final at-bat, the Panthers got the job done in the eighth inning in a 9-7 victory at Western Illinois University.

With two outs in the eighth inning and the Panthers trailing 6-5, Bret Nommensen reached on a WIU error. Mark Chagnon promptly made the Leathernecks pay for their mistakes as he doubled to left field to tie the game 6-6.

With the game tied, the Panthers continued their two-out magic as Erik Huber hit a two-run home run that sealed the victory for Eastern.

“What a great job by everyone in the inning,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said. “I’m glad to see that we can come back against teams. It’s a sign of a good team, when you can make a comeback.”

While Schmitz said he would prefer not having to come back at all, he understands the situations the Panthers have been in.

“I’d like to have the games come a little easier,” Schmitz said. “But I’m glad we can make a run when we have to.”

Neither starting pitcher got off to a good start. Eastern’s Mike Manns lasted only 1.1 innings, giving up three runs (one earned). The Panthers got to Western’s starter early as well, knocking Rob Johnson out of the game in the third inning.

The Panthers (13-12) got the relief they were looking for when they called upon Alex Guttosch. He filled in nicely for Manns, pitching 2.2 innings, surrendering one hit and no runs.

Right-handed reliever Chris Vaculik was just as effective, pitching two scoreless innings. Vaculik picked up his third victory of the season.

“The bullpen was outstanding,” Schmitz said. “We needed them to come in and be effective and pick our starters up. They did that.”

The Leathernecks took a 6-5 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Kelly Flanery, setting the stage for Huber’s heroics.

“I’m so happy for him to come through at the plate and on the mound at the same time,” Schmitz said of Huber recording his second save of the season. “Mark (Chagnon) and Brett (Nommensen) did a good job of getting on. We talk about two-out rallies all the time.”

With the Panthers winning five of their last six games, they carry much-needed momentum into this weekend’s three-game series against conference rival Murray State.

“We’ve set ourselves up nicely (in the non-conference games),” Schmitz said. “Now we have to take care of business in the conference.”