Close games were the story of spring break for the Panthers, but the endings were hardly storybook.

Eastern was swept by The Citadel in a three game series to end its annual spring break road trip.

Head coach Jim Schmitz’s team lost 19-14 in the first game of the series on Friday and then lost two consecutive 5-4 games, in which the Panthers’ bullpen blew leads.

Junior left hander Mike Manns started Sunday’s game and was “very effective,” Schmitz said.

“He was exceptional, very encouraging to see that. He really pitched well against Charleston Southern and we’re trying to get him into the swing of things.”

Manns left the game after five innings of work, surrendering only two earned runs and striking out six Bulldog batters.

Senior right hander Mike Budde came in to relieve Manns in the sixth inning with a runner on third and got the Panthers out of the jam.

But the most consistent pitcher on the Panthers’ staff could not seem to find the strike zone. Schmitz said Budde was “kind of wild” and the Lockport native hit the first batter he saw in the seventh and walked another en route to surrendering one run which cut the Panthers’ lead to just one run.

Senior closer Chris Vaculik entered the game in the eighth inning but after the leadoff man singled, The Citadel worked him into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and another single before a double down the line scored both base runners and The Citadel took a 5-4 lead.

The defeat gave Eastern six losses in eight spring break games after the Panthers lost two of three games to Belmont in Nashville, Tenn., and losing their first game in South Carolina against Charleston Southern. Eastern did upset No. 30 ranked College of Charleston, 7-5, on Thursday led by two RBIs from both centerfielder Casey Spears and first baseman Erik Huber.

But inconsistency, especially from the bullpen, prevented the Panthers from capitalizing on more opportunities to win close games.

“We’re not putting the whole game together,” Schmitz said. “Four games were winnable that we lost. We’re past the point of saying it’s early.”

Schmitz said one area did impress him – Eastern’s hitting.

Four Eastern hitters improved their averages to above .300 during break and Huber leads the team in home runs (3) RBIs (13) and a slugging percentage of .653 – the only Panther with a mark higher than .500.

“About the only thing we did good this whole weekend was we swung the bat well,” Schmitz said. “Guys are starting to feel more comfortable at the plate. But this isn’t a swim meet or a track meet, talking about how certain guys did good. This isn’t an individual game.”

Schmitz and the Panthers will need to put the losses behind them with Ohio Valley Conference play starting Saturday with a three-game home stand against Tennessee Tech. The Golden Eagles currently have the best record (12-7) of any OVC team while Eastern’s 4-10 record puts them second to last.

Eastern was picked by Baseball America to finish first in the OVC and Schmitz still thinks his team can win the conference – he knows the talent is there.

“We’re not asking more from these guys then they are capable of,” Schmitz said. “They’re just not getting it done.”

-For complete box scores of the four games, click here.