Following a 6-hour and 39-minute series finale against Belmont, the Eastern baseball team travels to Missouri to play Saint Louis in a midweek, out of conference game.

The Panthers are coming off a 5-5 tie against the Bruins at home, which proceeded two Eastern wins against Belmont. Eastern is 14-28-1 and 8-12-1 in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Saint Louis enters Tuesday’s game, coming off a 2-1 series loss to George Mason, as the Billikens lost 9-2 Sunday on the road. Saint Louis dropped to 24-17 overall and 12-5 in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Last time out

Tuesday’s matchup will be Eastern’s and Saint Louis’ second game against each other this season.

The Panthers won the first game of the season-series on March 26, when red-shirt sophomore Demetre Taylor hit a two-run double down the left-field line to give Eastern an 8-7 lead and ending with a 9-7 home win.

Eastern coach Jim Schmitz started freshman Jake Haberer against Saint Louis at Coaches Stadium, where he struggled early, allowing three runs, two of them earned in 1.1 innings.

Eastern used seven pitchers in its first game against the Billikens, with Joe Greenfield and Troy Barton pitching the final two innings to get the win for the Panthers.

Saint Louis starter Robert Plohr lasted three innings, giving up one earned run, but three total on six hits.

The Billikens’ bullpen did not provide much relief, as four relievers all allowed at least one run during their outings.

Zach Girrens took the loss, as he surrendered the Saint Louis lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing three runs.

Tuesday starters

Freshman Chase Thurston will make his third start of the season and first since March 15, when he started against Austin Peay.

Thurston’s other start came against Vanderbilt on March 11, when he pitched a season-high 4.2 innings. In his two starts, the right-handed pitcher has allowed a combined nine earned runs on 12 hits, while striking out three and walking three.

Overall, Thurston has pitched in 16 games and has a 0-3 record with a 9.11 ERA and has recorded a save.

In 27.2 innings, he has allowed 28 earned runs, 36 hits, 21 walks and four home runs.

His last appearance came against Southeast Missouri on April 18, when he allowed three runs without recording an out.

Thurston pitched against Saint Louis, walking one and striking out another, as he recorded two outs before being replaced.

Saint Louis has not announced who will start against Eastern on Tuesday.

Eastern on the road

Eastern is 6-20 on the road this year, but the Panthers are 3-4 in their last seven games away from Coaches Stadium.

Saint Louis is 13-3 at home this season and is carrying a three-game home winning streak into Tuesday’s game against Eastern.

The Billikens have won seven of their last eight games at the Billiken Sports Center.

The only home losses for Saint Louis this season have been against Southeast Missouri, (6-2) Memphis (6-4) and Bradley (9-1). Only the loss to the Redhawks came at the Billiken Sports Center, as the other two defeats came at T.R. Hughes Stadium in O’Fallon, Mo.

Last season both games between Eastern and Saint Louis were canceled because of inclement weather.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Billiken Sports Center in St. Louis.

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