Eastern hit its way to a milestone last Tuesday when it beat Evansville 10-4.

This was the first time in four years the Panthers scored 10 runs in an inning.

The last time was in 2004 against Southeast Missouri.

Eastern had five players who reached base twice and had 16 men bat in the sixth inning.

Head coach Jim Schmitz said his only strategy was to stick with the regular routine.

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Kehrer was the first to throw for the Panthers.

He struck out the first two batters and retired six more.

“We started Kehrer because he was supposed to throw in the game that was canceled last Sunday,” Schmitz said.

Eastern held the Purple Aces scoreless until the fifth inning, where Nate Smith hit a two-run single to right field.

When the sixth inning came around, there was no looking back for the Panthers.

Ten Eastern players were walked, and the Panthers scored 10 runs on nine hits.

“We didn’t do anything differently,” Schmitz said. “We just took advantage of the situation.”

Junior Brett Nommenson had a couple of big hits for the Panthers.

“I wasn’t trying to think too much about getting a power hit,” Nommenson said. “I just wanted to get a base hit.”

Eastern will use this win as a confidence booster going into this weekend against Eastern Kentucky University.

Molly Clutter can be reached at 581-7944 or at mkclutter@eiu.edu.

Sophomore pitcher Tyler Kehrer throws a pitch at Coach’s Stadium Tuesday afternoon in the home finale of the season against Evansville. (Robbie Wroblewski/ The Daily Eastern News)

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