After Eastern took a 3-2 lead in the top of the seventh inning, Arkansas stormed back with six unanswered runs, beating the Panthers and completing a three-game sweep with an 8-3 win Sunday in Fayetteville, Ark.

Eastern has now lost five straight games, all to ranked opponents, as No. 25 Arkansas improved to 6-0 on the season.

Junior Brent McAfee hit a sacrifice-fly in the seventh inning, regaining the lead for the Razorbacks at 4-3 – four more runs followed in the eighth inning, effectively putting the game out of reach for Eastern.

Tyler Spoon delivered the big blow for Arkansas, clearing the bases with a double hit to left-center field, giving the Razorbacks a 7-3 lead. He would then come around to score to end the four-run eighth, off of a single from McAfee.

Eastern finished the game with six hits off of Arkansas’ staff, but also did not capitalize on early scoring opportunities.

In the second inning, the Panthers had runners at second and third after a Jacob Reese sacrifice-bunt advanced Frankie Perrone and Demetre Taylor over with one out.

Eastern then loaded the bases, when first baseman Adam Casson walked, but Marshawn Taylor and Mitch Gasbarro could not drive in any runs.

In the third inning, Eastern had runners at first and third with one out, but again no runs were scored, as Perrone and Demetre both struck out.

Despite the sweep, Eastern baseball coach Jim Schmitz said he was pleased with the effort and the team coming back to take a lead late in the game.

“We didn’t get the big hit early, but we didn’t put our heads down,” Schmitz said. “We went ahead, but obviously let it get away but as far as looking at the game I told the guys that I felt we really did compete the last two games.”

Left-hander Christian Slazinik started Sunday for Eastern and pitched five innings, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks. He had a no-decision after Demetre gave Eastern a lead in the seventh, taking Slazinik off the hook for a loss.

Schmitz said the lefty had a solid outing.

“He pitched really well – I think he had one bad pitch the entire five innings,” Schmitz said.

Friday, Saturday recap

Arkansas junior Brian Anderson capped off a five-run eighth inning with a three-run home run to left field, overcoming an Eastern comeback Saturday for an 8-3 win.

After the Panthers rallied back in the top of the eighth inning, scoring three runs to tie the game, Eastern pitchers Joe Greenfield and Andrew Grahn were not able to contain the Arkansas offense, as the Razorbacks won their fifth game in a row to start the season.

Anderson’s home run came off of Grahn, who had just entered the game.

Greenfield, replaced left-hander Garrison Stenger in the seventh inning. He allowed the third Arkansas runner to score, but it was charged to Stenger. Greenfield had trouble in the eighth after recording the first two outs.

Following a walk to Jose Serrano, who made it five straight batters reaching base, Grahn was put in place of Greenfield – the home run then followed.

Junior Caleb Howell led Eastern with two hits, as he also recorded an RBI-double in the Panthers’ rally in the eighth. Freshman Frankie Perrone tied the game with a two-run single.

Matt Borens started for the Panthers and allowed two runs in six innings, but none were earned, as he pitched six innings. He now has 12 innings pitched this season, giving up a total of one earned run, but has nothing to show for it.

Schmitz said Borens is the epitome of consistency.

“It’s nice for everybody – you just want to show players on your team that you’re consistent and you’re going to go out there and give a good effort,” he said.

The series opened Friday, when Arkansas pushed ahead of Eastern in the middle innings, 6-0, and went on to win 6-2 behind the left arm of starter Jalen Beeks.

Eastern scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning, when junior Trey Russell doubled to left field, driving in Jason Scholl and Marshawn Taylor. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the scoring ended there, as Jacob Reese and Dane Sauer proceeded to ground out and pop out to end the game.

Beeks pitched into the sixth inning, throwing 5.2 innings, allowing three hits and two walks. The lefty had five strikeouts in his scoreless outing, improving to 2-0 on the season.

Sophomore Jake Johansmeier took the loss for Eastern, as the right-handed pitcher surrendered all six runs (five earned) in 4.1 innings. He dropped to an even 1-1 on the year.

Eastern will play its third straight ranked opponent on the road starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday, when the Panthers play No. 7 Louisville in Jim Patterson Stadium.

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