Eastern head baseball coach Jim Schmitz had said the Panthers’ two non-conference, midweek games this week would determine if Eastern was getting better through the season and for Ohio Valley Conference play.

A split with Southern Illinois and Illinois State this week in non-conference games has supplied an answer to Schmitz’s question about his team’s progression.

The Panthers (9-10, 3-0 OVC) get back into league play with a three-game series against Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, Tenn., this weekend, following a 7-5, 11-inning win at ISU on Wednesday.

“For me, to play some good teams midweek, it does a lot for us to get ready for the weekend,” Schmitz said.

Eastern beat the Redbirds on a two-run home run by senior first baseman and pitcher Tristan Facer in the top of the 11th inning.

The Panthers came from behind to beat Illinois State, and Schmitz said it was a good sign headed back into league play against the Golden Eagles (16-7-1, 1-2).

“Just to be able to come back to tie it, that says a lot,” Schmitz said. “That’s the key. There’s no substitute for winning. That’s all the OVC’s about on the weekend. Two of the three games are always close.”

The midweek games against Southern and ISU were similar because they both were decided late in the game, Facer said.

“It was definitely nice to win one of those,” Facer said. “It’s definitely a big confidence booster.”

The Panthers’ win at ISU was one of the biggest wins of the season, Facer said. Eastern played ISU on March 13 during the Florida All-Star Challenge during spring break but lost to the Redbirds 7-1 after giving up a five-run fourth inning.

“We’re feeling pretty good,” Facer said. “We got down early and fought back. It shows our team we can do that. Going into conference (play), we’ve got a lot of confidence.”

Eastern junior second baseman Jordan Tokarz said the most important part of the win at ISU was the way the Panthers finished. It is important for the team members to know they can come back when they get down, he said.

“We’ve just got to continue playing hard and know we’re a good team,” Tokarz said. “It would be good to get a sweep. It would be real good to start 6-0 in the conference.”

The Panthers might have to rely on sophomore catcher Richie Derbak to work toward a perfect start to OVC play – but not behind the plate.

Derbak pitched four innings of relief against ISU after catching the first seven.

Schmitz said he planned for Derbak to pitch an inning or two against the Redbirds. He wanted sophomore closer Scott Foley to pitch two innings on Wednesday in preparation for the weekend, but Foley wasn’t sharp, Schmitz said.

Foley pitched one and two-thirds innings and gave up two hits and three runs. He walked three.

Schmitz said it’s nice to have two pitchers who can close games.

“Over a weekend in the OVC, you’re probably going to need two really good arms at the end,” Schmitz said. “At least (Derbak) gives us options.”

Eastern Probable Game 1 Starters

Pos. – Name (Batting Average)

2B – J. Tokarz (.333)

LF – C. Restko (.321)

CF – B. Nommensen (.273)

DH – Z. Skidmore (.296)

SS – J. Kreke (.254)

C – R. Derbak (.328)

1B – A. Gee (.261)

3B – S. Estand (.321)

RF – R. Linquist (.213)

Starting Pitcher

P – T. Facer (2-0 – 4.23 ERA)

Tennessee Tech Probable Game 1 Starters

Pos – Name (Batting Average)

SS – T. Nelson (.347)

CF – J. New (.402)

1B – C. King (.440)

3B – E. Webb (.430)

DH – A. Kirby-Jones (.368)

RF – S. Reilly (.315)

LF – A. Henry (.309)

2B – M. Mihoci (.309)

C – C. Wright (.163)

Starting Pitcher

P – J. Edwards (2-1 – 4.70 ERA)

Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.

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