Panthers Advance To OVC Championship Game – Eastern Illinois University Athletics

Eastern Illinois takes down top-seeded SIUE in the semifinal game at the OVC tournament. After the Friday win, EIU advances to the championship game on Saturday with the opponent to be determined.  

The Panthers improve to 33-19 (18-9 OVC), while the Cougars drop to 33-23 (19-7 OVC).  

EIU stunned the Cougars’ crowd in the top of the 10th inning, breaking a 2-2 tie. Quade Peters sparked the rally with a leadoff single up the middle before stealing second to move into scoring position. Three pitches later, Brett Stanley placed a ground-rule double down the right field line, bringing home Peters for the go-ahead run.

Anthony Solis replaced James Geshle out of the bullpen after the Cougars had the game-tying runner 90 feet away from home. Solis earned a crucial strikeout for the second out of the inning, leading to the final groundout.  

SIUE jumped in front, scoring a run in the 1st and 6th innings, while holding the Panthers scoreless. Tim Teixeira was strong on the mound for SIUE, allowing just two runs in 7.0 innings of work. 

Eastern Illinois responded with two runs in the 7th inning to even the score. Mike O’conor opened the frame with a single to left field, advancing to second on Chris Worcester’s groundout. Then, Zak Goodwin followed with an infield single to put runners at the corners. 

Peyton Wilson put the Panthers on the board with an RBI single to left center that brought home O’Conor. Moments later, Ethan Rossi laid down a sacrifice bunt to the right side, allowing Goodwin to score. 

The Cougars threatened to regain the lead in the eighth inning with two runners in scoring position, but Geshel escaped the jam with a swinging strikeout of Mack Mitchel before collecting the inning-ending double play.

On the mound for the Panthers, Tyler Conklin was stellar, allowing only two runs in 7.0 innings of work while striking out five Cougars. Geshel earned his fourth win of the season after throwing 2.1 scoreless innings. Solis picked up his second save of the year with a lights-out 10th inning. 

Offensively, seven Panthers collected a hit, with Stanley going 2-5 with a game-winning RBI. Peyton Wilson and Rossi also collected an RBI. 

 

By The Numbers: 

EIU: 3 Runs, 8 Hits, 0 Errors 

SIUE: 2 Runs, 6 Hits, 0 Errors 

Brett Stanley: 2-5, RBI, 2x 2B

Ethan Rossi: 1-3, RBI, 2B

Tyler Conklin: 7.0 innings, 5 SO, 2 ER

 

Up Next: EIU will enter Championship Saturday undefeated with the opponent to be determined. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m., weather permitting.