Listen to our new Sounds of the Game Podcast, a condensed version of this week in EIU sports!

Near freezing temperatures at Coaches Stadium contributed to seven combined errors between Eastern and Olivet Nazarene.

Despite committing four errors, including two by senior shortstop Adam Varrassi, Eastern was able to hit its way past the NAIA school on its way to a 12-3 victory Thursday.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said Varrassi’s errors were something of an anomaly because he had been a consistent fielder throughout the season.

The two errors give Varrassi 13 on the year.

The first of Olivet’s three errors came in the second inning and led to Eastern’s first scoring run.

With one out, freshman second baseman Richie Derbak hit an opposite field bloop single to left field.

Varrassi ripped the second pitch offered by Olivet starter Ryan Forneris to left field for a single that advanced Derbak to second base.

Sophomore outfielder Brett Nommensen then loaded the bases with a bunt single down the third base line.

After Derbak was forced out at home for the second out on a fielder’s choice, a ground ball hit by third baseman Jordan Kreke passed through Olivet third baseman Tim Allen’s legs, scoring Varrassi.

Senior leftfielder Mark Chagnon’s two-out single to center field scored Nommensen and rightfielder Casey Spears. Chagnon finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Eastern took its 3-0 lead going into the third inning and never lost it.

Chagnon singled home another run in the fourth inning off Olivet reliever Kyle McDonald.

Eastern scored five more runs in the sixth inning on three hits, two walks, an error and a passed ball by Olivet catcher Chad Dilley.

Olivet head coach Elliot Johnson said the weather was a factor for both teams.

“It was hard for pitchers and fielders to get a grip on the ball,” Johnson said. “We made errors at the wrong time. Obviously we can’t blame the loss on the weather. It affected both teams.”

Freshmen Alex Gee and Curt Restko both contributed off the bench. Gee, playing first base, drove in his first two career RBIs with a single up the middle in the five-run sixth.

Restko got his first hit as a Panther with a solo home run in the seventh inning.

He was hitless in his first five at-bats this season.

“When you finally get a chance to play,” Restko said, “you have to produce.”

Restko has been in this situation before.

As a sophomore transfer at Tinley Park (Andrew) High School, Restko said his first hit was also a home run.

Eastern’s leading hitter Erik Huber started Thursday’s game after missing last weekend’s two-game Ohio Valley Conference series against Murray State with a hamstring injury.

Schmitz said they wanted to test Huber’s leg against Olivet instead of against OVC opponent Jacksonville State this weekend. Huber was able to get some fielding practice in, and Schmitz said Huber was also told to go easy running the bases. “He’ll do the same thing if he plays this weekend,” Schmitz said.

Huber went 0-for-2 before being replaced by Gee in the fifth inning. Huber’s hitless day ended his 21-game hitting streak, the third longest active streak in the nation.