Eastern couldn’t overcome a nine-run first inning by Butler University, losing 10-6 to the Bulldogs on Wednesday at Coaches Stadium.
Four batters into the ballgame, the Panthers were down 4-0 after a grand slam given up by senior right-handed pitcher Mitch Alba. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Jack Potteiger replaced Alba and he only got one out and gave up three runs. Freshman right-handed pitcher Slater Wilcox came in for Potteiger and gave up one earned run on a three-run blast to cap off the nine-run frame.
Wilcox restored order after that throwing two more innings of scoreless ball before turning the ball over to junior right-handed pitcher Christian Carew. Carew had the best outing he’s had all year, going four innings, not allowing a single hit and only walking one while striking out five.
Eastern scored three runs in the last two innings, but it wasn’t enough to make a comeback.
Eastern manager Jason Anderson after the game said that Carew’s outing was the only positive to take away from this game.
“Here’s a kid who had a lot of opportunities early and hasn’t had an opportunity in weeks,” Anderson said. “We finally got a chance to get him out onto the field when it wasn’t raining, and he went out and did a really good job.”
Sophomore third baseman Mike O’Connor hit a two-run home run in the second inning. He left the game in the eighth inning after getting hit in the helmet with a pitch. He was able to walk off the field after being helped back to his feet.
“He’s fine for now, but anytime you get hit in the head you don’t know what’s going to happen for sure,” Anderson said. “He’s as good as he can be right now, I think.”
Eastern loaded the bases with nobody out in the third but were unable to score. Senior shortstop Lucas Loos extended his on-base streak to 32 with a run-scoring double in the fifth.
Eastern will play a straight doubleheader against the University of Southern Indiana tomorrow. Junior right-hander Casey Perrenoud will start game one and freshman right-hander Bryce Riggs will get the ball to start game two. Game one is set to start at noon.
Gabe Newman can be reached at 581-2812 or at ghnewman@eiu.edu.
