Although the Panthers lost two of three games in their weekend set with South Alabama, Eastern was able to get their all important first win of the season against one of the best teams they will play all season long.

A strong pitching performance by three Eastern pitchers helped the Panthers (1-5) get their first win of the season against the No. 21 team in the nation in the middle game of a three game set.

The 6-3 win came in large part from the effort of junior Scott Metz. Metz, who is now 1-0 on the season, threw 5 2/3 innings allowing only three runs off five South Alabama hits.

Lefty Nick Albu and senior Mike Ziroli, who got his first save of the year, combined for 1 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball to lift the Panthers over the Jaguars.

The offense did their part as well in the win, with third baseman Chris Martin and designated hitter Dan Jordan each going 1-3 at the plate. Both sluggers hit their first home runs of the season and combined for four RBI on the day.

On Friday the Panthers had a tough time dealing with South Alabama’s offense as they fell 13-2.

Eastern starter Pete Martin couldn’t make it out of the fourth inning as he pitched 3 2/3 innings giving up 10 runs and eleven hits.

And despite the starting pitching was up to the task on Friday, the bullpen was, as Jason Pinnel, Mitch Rosenthal and Nathan Stone combined to allow three runs in 3 1/3 innings and struck out five.

The Panther’s only offensive highlight of the day was a third inning home run, which was his first of the season.

While the Jaguars did nothing but hit the ball all over the field being led by designated hitter Kyle Stanky who was 2-2 with a home run, his fourth, and three RBI.

After winning the second game of the series Eastern looked to continue its winning ways in the third game but couldn’t as they took a 9-1 loss.

Eastern’s six pitchers in the game, none going more than two innings, let up nine runs on 10 hits.

Only Keith Laski, who threw two innings striking out two, and Nathan Stone, who threw 1 2/3 innings striking out three, were the only Panther pitchers who didn’t allow any runs.

The Panthers were only able to muster up four hits and only plated one run as South Alabama’s Caleb Crosby and Joe Long combined for seven innings allowing only one run and striking out four.

The Panthers will continue their season next weekend when they travel to Alabama-Birmingham.