http://media.www.dennews.com/media/storage/paper309/news/2011/02/22/Sports/Team-Swept.By.Southern.Miss-3979412.shtmlTeam swept by Southern MissNewcomers perform better than expected
Brad Kupiec/Staff ReporterIssue date: 2/22/11 Section: Sports
Eastern's baseball team was swept in a three game series at Southern Mississippi, as it lost by final scores of 6-2, 9-1, and 6-0 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
The Panthers weekend started off Friday afternoon, as the Panthers came out to open up their season.
The Panthers were able to put up two runs with a ninth inning rally, as red-shirt junior infielder T.J. McManus pinch hit for his first plate appearance as a Panther and knocked a double to right field before being driven home by junior Zach Borenstein, who singled up the middle.
Following a Panther strikeout, red-shirt senior Jake Samuels hit an RBI double to center field to drive home Borenstein and pull Eastern within four. Their late rally would come up short, however, as senior middle infielder Cam Strang struck out to end the Panther opener.
Ohio Valley Conference preseason pitcher of the year, red-shirt junior pitcher, Mike Hoekstra took his first loss of the season, giving up three earned runs in four innings of work.
Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said that he was very pleased with all the Panther newcomers making their Eastern debuts, including freshman relief pitchers Luke Bushur and junior Darin Worman, McNamus, freshman Cameron Berra and freshman catcher Jacob Reese.
"Reese did really well behind the plate, he played with a lot of excitement and energy. Cameron (Berra) also played at first base for the first time and did real well," Schmitz said.
Saturday afternoon in Miss. saw more success for the Golden Eagles, as they beat the Panthers 9-1 in the middle game of their three-game set.
Schmitz summed up his team's performance as disappointing.
"It was not a good day," Schmitz said. "
We made too many defensive blunders and our hitters are not making any adjustments to the Southern Miss pitching staff."
The Panthers were able to strike first this time, as red-shirt junior outfielder Ben Thoma doubled down the left field line to chase home sophomore outfielder Daniel Rowe for the game's first tally.
Southern Miss came roaring back in the bottom of the first to take a 4-1 Golden Eagle lead, before putting up a run in the second, three in the fourth frame and one more score in the fifth inning before coasting to a 9-1 victory over the Panthers.
Junior Adam Clark took the loss on the mound for Eastern, as he allowed seven earned runs on eight hits in three and one third innings of work.
Sunday saw the Panthers drop the third and final game of their weekend set with Southern Miss, as they were shut out by a final score of 6-0.
The Panthers finished with seven hits in the final contest, and they were lead at the plate by sophomore Ryan Dineen, as he went 2-for-3.
Panther freshman Christian Slazinik took the loss on Saunday, as the St. Louis, Mo. Native allowed four hits and one earned run in three innings of work.
The Panthers committed three errors on Sunday while Southern Miss made none on the day.
Coach Schmitz said he hopes his team takes this game as a learning experience moving forward in the season.
"Southern Miss was very good in all areas and made it difficult for us to get going," said Schmitz. "Hopefully this will make the players understand what they need to work on this week."
The Panthers will see their next action this weekend as they travel to Conway, Ark. to take on the University of Central Arkansas for another three game weekend set.
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
