Tuesday’s offensive struggles continued Wednesday for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, but not for Eastern Illinois.
Eastern Illinois scored early and late to defeat UAPB 13-3 in eight innings and finish a two-game midweek sweep at the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex.
UAPB (8-14) trailed 7-0 after two innings after allowing just two unearned runs in Tuesday’s game. The Panthers added three runs in the seventh inning to push the game into run-rule territory. UAPB scored a pair in the bottom half to extend the game but gave up three more in the eighth.
The Golden Lions finished with nine hits after Eastern Illinois (10-8) held them to three on Tuesday, but UAPB stranded nine base runners.
UAPB Coach Logan Stout said every team goes through highs and lows at the plate.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“It was good to see our guys keep fighting,” Stout said. “It’s a Wednesday. Double midweeks are tough, obviously, especially with all the injuries that we have. We got three starting pitchers out. Five of our best position players have been out all year, two catchers. … Offensively, the guys are going to be fine.”
Eastern Illinois chased UAPB starting pitcher Jordan Medellin (0-1) with two outs in the second inning after scoring 7 runs on four hits and two walks. Just 2 of the runs were earned thanks to a pair of errors.
An errant pickoff throw by Medellin in the first inning allowed one run to score and another runner to advance to third. That runner then scored on a wild pitch.
In the second inning, Eastern Illinois third baseman James Love hit a two-out ground ball to third. UAPB third baseman Zach Weider’s throw to first pulled first baseman Ian Smith off the bag, allowing Love to reach safely while a run scored. Designated hitter Joey Hagen followed with a two-RBI triple, after which UAPB pulled Medellin.
The Panthers scored a run in each game of the series on an errant pickoff. Stout said the injuries the team is dealing with can make seemingly routine plays more challenging.
Smith, a natural third baseman, is playing first base with expected starter Easton Andrews likely out for the season. Medellin came to UAPB as an infielder but is pitching because several starting pitchers are out.
“We have guys playing positions out of necessity,” Stout said. “When you do that, nonconference is the time when you work on those things. The last thing you want to do is get into conference play and then work on pickoffs for the first time. Game reps are unique. They’re nothing like practice reps. No matter how intense you are in practice to make it like a game, a game is different.”
UAPB turned to left-handed reliever Nate Lee in a pinch, and he shut down the Panthers’ offense. He retired the first nine hitters he saw before giving up one of the two hits he allowed in 4 1/3 scoreless innings. Both were two-out singles which he followed with an out.
Lee struck out three hitters without allowing a walk as he kept the early 7-0 deficit from growing. He entered the game having pitched a combined three innings over three appearances.
“Great for him,” Stout said. “He’s been waiting and waiting to get his opportunity to get in. He kept us in the game, quite frankly. Very proud of Nate. He’s a competitor.”
Three other relievers allowed a combined six earned runs over the remainder of the game.
Eastern Illinois starter Blaine Nunnally (1-0) pitched the first three innings, holding UAPB to two hits and a walk with three strikeouts. The Panthers used four relievers, with right-hander Ty Anderson allowing 2 unearned runs and left-hander Mac Zawistoski allowing UAPB’s only earned run of the series.
UAPB, after being shutout Tuesday, scored its first runs of the two-game set in the bottom of the seventh inning. Two hits and an error allowed Smith and shortstop Aaron Grant to hit sacrifice flies.
Center fielder Nick Hockemeyer drove in the earned run in the eighth with a two-out RBI double. Hockemeyer finished 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run Wednesday after coming off the bench Tuesday to hit 1 for 2.
Stout said Hockemeyer had some early shoulder injuries he has had to come back from.
“He’s healthy now, and obviously, it showed,” Stout said. “Hock’s a great young man, great player. Really excited to see him perform as well as he did.”
Hagen led Eastern Illinois with three RBIs and a run of 2 of 3 hitting. Leadoff hitter Tyler Castro hit 3 for 5 with an RBI and two runs.