The Eastern baseball team will try and build on its five-game win streak when they travel to Atlanta to play Georgia State in a three-game series this weekend.

Georgia State is 4-3 on the year; its last game against the University of Georgia was cancelled Wednesday. Their last game was last Saturday, which they lost 5-3 against Jacksonville.

As a team, the Panthers’ offense and pitching has been working for them, causing them to have more success compared to last year. During their five-game win streak, they have outscored their opponents 29-18, averaging nearly six runs per game. 

On the Panther’s roster, they have 27 upperclassmen, giving the team veteran leadership. With a heavy veteran roster, the evolution of the team has come a long way from years prior.

“We’re just more mature and we are older,” head coach Jason Anderson said. “We started this process three years ago when we had a bunch of freshmen and sophomores. Now that we are older, we are more experienced, stronger and have a much more manageable schedule.”

Over the past three years, the Panther freshmen have seen growth. Every year, the team has started on a losing streak longer than six games, leading to seasons with more than 30 losses.

However, this season is the year those players and Anderson have been waiting for. After a three-year rebuild, the Panthers have come together as a unit and are amidst the best start to a season in years.

“They (upperclassmen) have been here awhile and understand the process that we went through, so this is their year when they have the strength and the experience,” Anderson said.

“Everyone is more experienced and they are more cohesive and support each other a little more.”

A common reference in baseball is, “hitting is contagious,” something that comes with consistent winning and good at-bats. As the Panthers continue to win, the team’s mentality continues to build, and trust forms amongst the players.

“I think the biggest thing this year is everyone’s confidence,” senior right fielder Frankie Perrone said. “We are not going out there to take one game a series, or just compete. If we don’t win two out of the three, or sweep, it’s not a successful season.”

Freshman infielder and designated hitter Ryan Glass has been the go-to player for Georgia States’ offense with a team leading .348 average, .565 slugging percentage, eight hits and five RBI’s.

As for Georgia States’ pitching, sophomore Hunter Gaddis has been near perfect this season. In 12.1 innings pitched, Gaddis has a 2-0 record with a 0.73 ERA, totaling eight strikeouts and only one earned run allowed this season.

Despite the Panthers not competing against Georgia State last year, nothing changes in practice for the team. Regardless the college, the Panthers’ mindset is imprinted and has been working this season.

“We’re playing good baseball right now, try to have good at-bats and throw strikes,” Perrone said. “We stay within our skill set, just keep winning, and have that killer instinct.”

The two teams play Friday at 5 p.m. at the GSU Sports Complex.

Adam Shay can be reached at 581-2812 or acshay@eiu.edu