The Eastern baseball team continued to struggle at the plate.

Eastern lost the third game of a three-game series against Samford 11-1 on Sunday in Birmingham, Ala.

The Bulldogs scored 10 runs in four innings, and three hits from the Panthers (18-23, 9-9 Ohio Valley Conference) were not enough to counteract a potent Samford offense that combined for 16 hits.

“To me it all started yesterday in game one,” said Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz. “We talked about a lot of things, and there was a lack of focus. Offensively, defensively pitching-wise, there was a lack of focus. You don’t come down and play one of the top teams in the league like that.”

Samford freshman second baseman Michael Johnson led off the bottom of the third round with a single up the middle, stole second base and reached third on a wild pitch.

Johnson scored on a single by senior third baseman Bill Whitehead who eventually scored on a groundout to the shortstop by senior right fielder Michael Rutledge. The Bulldogs scored twice more in the third, twice in the fourth and three times in the fifth to take a 10-1 lead. Samford (27-15, 13-4) added one run in the bottom of the seventh to close out their 10-run win.

“It was very disappointing in terms of effort,” Schmitz said. “If this team doesn’t get tougher, we’re not going to end on a good note. We have nine games left against very good teams.”

Eastern’s lone run came in the top of the fourth inning. Junior center fielder Brett Nommensen was hit by a pitch to start the fourth and advanced to third on a single to right field by sophomore catcher Richie Derbak.

Nommensen scored on an error by Samford senior catcher Bear Burnett. Eastern senior first baseman Tristan Facer laid down a bunt, and reached second on Burnett’s throwing error as Nommensen scored and Derbak advanced to third.

A pop out by junior third baseman Jordan Kreke and a groundout by sophomore left fielder Curt Restko ended the Panthers’ rally.

Saturday’s Second Game

Samford 2, Eastern 0

Sophomore starter Tyler Kehrer and junior reliever Brian Morrell walked four batters each as Eastern lost 2-0 in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.

Kehrer’s four walks came in 4 2/3 innings and Morrell walked his four batters in 1 1/3 innings.

The two lone runs of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kehrer gave up a two-run home run to right field by Burnett.

Eastern got two consecutive Samford hitters to fly out to center field before Rutledge singled to shortstop. Rutledge stole second and then scored on Burnett’s home run.

Schmitz said he was pleased with the way Kehrer pitched despite the home run, and he used the fact Kehrer was pitching as a motivator after the Panthers lost the first game on Saturday.

“I told the team, ‘Look who’s on the mound,'” Schmitz said. “We’ve got a guy that just shut out (Jacksonville State) for seven innings. Once he learns not to get into jams he’ll be a lot of fun to watch. He’s got the arm to get out of them.”

Eastern managed four hits against the Bulldogs, and half of those hits were by Restko.

Saturday’s First Game

Samford 5, Eastern 2

The Panthers out-hit Samford in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader with seven hits to the Bulldogs’ five, but a three-run eighth gave Samford enough momentum to hold on in the top of the ninth for the win.

Junior shortstop Michael Maresco started the Bulldogs’ rally with a single to right field but was called out at second on a fielder’s choice by Rutledge. Rutledge advanced to second on a wild pitch before freshman outfielder Alex Godshall came in as a pinch runner.

Godshall advanced to third on another wild pitch. Burnett drew a walk, and then Godshall scored and Burnett advanced to second on the third wild pitch of the inning. Freshman designated hitter Tripp Swann drew a walk and was replaced by junior pinch runner Joe Durham.

Sophomore pinch hitter Bo Smith lined a double to left field to score Burnett and Durham and cap the Bulldogs’ late rally.

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