Because of the cold weather, Thursday’s home opener against the University of Illinois has been postponed.

The single game has been rescheduled for 5 p.m. on April 14.

Now instead of opening the home portion of the season against the instate rival, the Panthers will now use this coming weekend’s three-game conference series against Tennessee State as the squad’s official home openers.

Currently at 16-5 on the season, and a perfect 3-0 in conference play, the Panthers will go into this weekend riding a new Division I program-best 11-game win streak.

However, Tennessee State Tigers will come to Charleston at 7-24 overalland 1-8 in OVC action.

A doubleheader with TSU is scheduled for Saturday, with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. while the second game is expected to begin at approximately 3 p.m. On Sunday, the Panthers will play at noon.

Lenny Arquilla can be reached at 581-7944 or lrarquilla@eiu.edu