May 3, 2008

Game 1 Box Score |  Game 2 Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

By Tyler Koonce, Baseball Contact

CHARLESTON, Ill. - Southeast and Eastern Illinois split a doubleheader Saturday with both teams winning games convincingly. The Redhawks (19-19, 9-9) took game one 16-7 while the Panthers (19-24, 10-10) bounced back to win the nightcap 15-3. The teams combined for 48 hits on the day despite cold weather and heavy wind.

SEMO used a six-run fifth inning in the first game to pull ahead and never looked back. Sophomore catcher Jim Klocke led the offensive outburst with three hits and five RBIs. Trenton Moses added three hits, including a two-run home run. Andrew Wiese blasted a three-run home run in his lone at-bat.

Senior right-hander Dustin Renfrow (4-4) earned the victory after throwing 7.1 solid innings, allowing only two earned runs. He struck out six opposing hitters and issued three walks.

True freshman Josh Mueller (4-6) took the loss for EIU, giving up five earned runs over 4.2 innings on the mound. He battled control problems with seven walks.

Zach Skidmore led the Panthers offense in the first game, going 2-for-5 with five runs driven in, including a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Game two was a completely different story. EIU plated 15 runs on 15 hits, led by their own five-run frame in the bottom of the third. Jordan Tokarz, Jordan Kreke and Ryan Lindquist registered three hits and multiple RBIs.

Tristan Facer (3-2) was credited with the win following 4.1 efffective innings, yielding five hits and three earned runs. He notched two strikeouts and walked three others.

Southeast starter Lance Rhodes (2-4) took the loss, allowing three earned runs in two innings of work. He struck out three and issued three free passes.

Jim Klocke and Wiese finished with multiple hits for SEMO. All three runs crossed the plate in the top of the fifth inning.

By hitting safely in both games, Tyrell Cummings extended his hitting streak to 18 games, the team's longest of the season.

Both squads will play for the series victory Sunday, with OVC Tournament implications on the line. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Coaches Stadium.