In losing two-of-three games at Samford, the Eastern baseball team made some discoveries to what kind of team it is.

The Panthers were thrashed in the first two games, losing 13-5 and 11-1. Neither Brandon Murphy nor Kenny Firlit lasted long in each game, as both starting pitchers surrendered a combined 14 hits, 10 earned runs and seven walks.

Going into the weekend, it was scheduled to be a battle of the first-place Bulldogs and the third-place Panthers. However, after being outscored 28-12 in the three games, third place never seemed so far from first.

“They’re pretty damn good,” said Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz. “When you give a team like that as many chances as we gave them, you’re gonna be in trouble.”

While Schmitz was disappointed in Saturday’s doubleheader, he was impressed with the Panthers’ resilience in coming back to earn a 6-4 victory on Sunday.

After Samford (23-17, 12-3 OVC) tied the game 4-4 in the seventh inning, the Panthers answered the Bulldogs rally with two runs in the eight inning to seal the victory.

Jason Cobb started the rally for Eastern with a leadoff double to left center. Cobb eventually scored from third on an error by Samford catcher Luke Peavy – the fourth error of the day on the Bulldogs.

The Panthers tacked on another insurance run when Adam Varrassi singled, scoring Casey Spears from third.

“What a difference a day makes,” Schmitz said. “To show that we can come back against the first place team shows that this team is growing more mature each day.”

Drew Gierich and Chris Vaculik also made a good showing for the Panthers (20-17, 8-7) Sunday.

Gierich started the game, lasting five innings and only giving up three earned runs. Vaculik (5-6) was relieved in the final four innings, allowing two hits and one run.

“We had better focus,” Schmitz said in comparing Sunday’s victory to Saturday’s losses. “In (Saturday’s games) we made major defensive boo-boos and it cost us. I was pleasantly surprised to see our team bounce back they way they did. It shows a lot of character.”

Another pleasant surprise for Schmitz and the Panthers was the return of Cobb’s bat.

Cobb, who had been in a 2-for-35 slump, went 5-for-9 in the series. Schmitz hopes that Cobb’s slump is in the past and that he can return to the form of the .300 career hitter he is.

“He looked real sharp,” Schmitz said. “We need his bat to come to life down the stretch.”

Even though the losses put Eastern four games back of Samford, Schmitz likes the make up of his team.

“I’m real excited about where we’re at,” he said. “But, in order to get to the next spot, we need to have better focus.”