This weekend’s series against the University of Tennessee-Martin marks the first of five Ohio Valley Conference weekends the Panthers will play on the road this season.

Head coach Jim Schmitz said in the past the majority of OVC games on the road have been losses.

Last year the Panthers lost three of four OVC series on the weekends, losing to Tennessee Tech, Samford and Eastern Kentucky.

Eastern’s lone win in OVC play on the road last season came against Murray State.

“We are going to have to make the first punch and be the aggressor,” Schmitz said. “We can’t let them get too comfortable.”

Last year the Panthers played UT-Martin at home and won both games of the double header (6-1 and 5-4), and lost the third game (8-5).

Eastern won all five home OVC series on weekends last season.

“We are obviously more comfortable at home; going on the road is more difficult,” Schmitz said.

Catcher Jason Cobb said practice throughout the week leading up to an OVC game is a little different because more focus is placed on the other team.

Third baseman Ryan Campbell said the team knows they have to go in there and win at two of three against the Skyhawks.

“I think every game we’ve played against them since I have been here we seem to fall flat,” Campbell said. “I don’t know if it is lack of focus or what but we need to come out ready to play and get it done early and we will be fine.”