After picking up a 5-1 win against No. 14 Louisiana-Lafayette Friday, Eastern sophomore Jake Johansmeier was named Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the week.

The right-hander pitched into the seventh inning of Eastern’s season-opener and was charged with one run during his six-inning outing.

Johansmeier had four strikeouts and gave up three hits to the Ragin’ Cajuns, as he used off-speed pitches throughout the game.

Louisiana-Lafayette did not get its first hit of the game until the fifth inning against Johansmeier.

Eastern’s win was its first over a top-25 ranked opponent since Feb. 28, 2012, when the Panthers beat Louisville 3-2. Louisville was also ranked No. 14.

Minor setback

Red-shirt senior pitcher Troy Barton made his return to the field for the first time since May 2012. Following a missed 2013 season because of Tommy John surgery, Barton pitched two innings in Eastern’s series finale Sunday against Louisiana-Lafayette.

After 42 pitches and four runs allowed, (one earned) Barton was taken out.

A week before his start, Barton suffered a minor injury during practice, Eastern coach Jim Schmitz said.

Schmitz said Barton landed odd off the mound and had pain in his lower back, resulting in a back spasm.

Although Barton said he accomplished one of his goals of returning by opening-day this season, it was disappointing to leave after two innings Sunday, when the pain in his back returned.

“In the first inning I kind of felt something in (my back) and I just went out there for the second,” he said.

As Eastern played in its last game of a four-game series, Barton said he went out to pitch in the second inning because the Panthers’ bullpen was depleted after playing three games in two days.

“I needed to try and eat another inning, but the (back spasm) did act up,” Barton said.

After missing all of last year, Schmitz said he would be extremely cautious with Barton and this recent injury.

“Our plan right now is to give him the weekend off,” Schmitz said. “I want to make sure that he is healthy. I don’t want to go to Mississippi State with another maybe. I want him to pitch at Mississippi State and really see what we can get out of him.”

Schmitz said pitching coach Jason Anderson suggested giving Barton an inning against Arkansas in one of Eastern’s three games starting Friday, but added that it would be unlikely. Barton said the pain is in his lower-left side of his back and would see a doctor Tuesday to find out more information.

Schmitz is ejected

Trailing Louisiana-Lafayette 1-0 in the top of the eighth inning, Eastern had runners at first and second with two outs. Right-handed batter Matt Dunavant pinch-hit for Jason Scholl — a lefty.

After working a full count against Cajun pitcher Matt Hicks, Dunavant was called out on strikes by first-base umpire Jeremy Hayes, who ruled that Dunavant did not hold his swing.

Eastern coach Jim Schmitz sprinted out of the dugout and was immediately ejected by Hayes, before Schmitz reached the grass on the playing field.

Schmitz said the umpires did a great job during the weekend, but Saturday’s 1-0 loss for Eastern was affected, specifically by the third-strike call on Dunavant.

“I thought their umpiring was superb — I really mean that except for one guy,” Schmitz said. “He looked like he was 15 years old. I don’t want to get tossed that doesn’t do much for the team and I’m running out there and he throws me out before I’m even on the turf.”

Eastern would have had the bases loaded with its best hitter in Caleb Howell due up at the plate if Dunavant would have reached with a walk. Instead, he was called out on strikes and the Panthers lost the game by one.

“(Hicks) is throwing sliders hard in the dirt and Dunavant isn’t swinging,” Schmitz said. “He checks his swing and has a great at-bat. We have the bases loaded with Howell coming up — why wouldn’t you be mad. A base hit wins you the game 2-1.”

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or asoto2@eiu.edu.