HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Alabama A&M (1-9, 0-0 SWAC) could not withstand an offensive barrage by Eastern Illinois (8-3, 0-0 OVC) and dropped a 15-2 decision in an NCAA Division I baseball game on Friday, March 11.
In the first inning the Panthers would deliver four runs off three hits, including two RBIs from Chris Worcester, for a 4-0 lead. The score would remain that way until the top of the third inning as EIU would then increase their lead with a run each from Dalton Doyle, Worcester and Gallaher for a 7-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs would respond in the bottom of the third as sophomore first baseman
Trevor Berkemeyer (North Las Vegas, Nev.) reached on a fielding error, bringing home freshman second baseman
Kylan Duncan (Huntsville, Ala.) and freshman designated hitter
Zach Malone (Longview, Texas) to cut it to 7-2.
The score would be unbothered until the top of the fifth as Eastern Illinois delivered four runs off two hits that included a homerun to left field from Lincoln Riley to push the score to 11-2.
EIU would then take their biggest lead of the afternoon in the sixth inning with four runs off five hits, including two RBIs from Lucas DiLuca. His fielder's choice brought home Gallaher and Nicholas Rucker for a 14-2 lead and DiLuca would score the last run of the inning and the game as neither team would answer in the seventh and Eastern Illinois would close out the 15-2 victory.
DiLuca led the Panthers with a 1-of-2 day, three RBIs and three runs scored while Ryan Ignoffo went 1-of-5 with three RBIs and a run. Worcester went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored while Riley was 2-of-2 with two RBIs, a homerun and a pair of runs to round out the top offensive performers. Trevor Nicholson threw five innings, striking out seven and allowed no earned runs to move to 2-0.
Berkemeyer led the Bulldogs with two RBIs, and Malone was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a steal. Sophomore pitcher
Tyler Campbell (Albuquerque, N.M.) threw two innings, struck out one and allowed five earned runs to suffer the loss to fall to 0-3.
The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow, Saturday, March 12 as they continue their series against Eastern Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bulldog Field.
