Strong starting pitching performances helped Eastern take all three games from Ohio Valley Conference rival Murray State this weekend.

The Panthers, who are now 5-10 on the season, used only five pitchers that combined to give up only eight runs in 23 innings of baseball.

But the pitching wasn’t the only thing that Eastern skipper Jim Schmitz can build on with his Panthers as they scored 20 runs in the three game set.

Eastern was led at the plate on the weekend by third baseman Chris Martin who was 6-12 on the weekend with one homerun and nine RBIs.

On Sunday, the Panthers went down early to the Thoroughbreds 1-0 in the second inning, but came back to score two in the fifth inning, six runs in the sixth and tacked one more in the eighth inning to take the game 9-3.

Senior Mike Ziroli (1-2) started on the mound for the Panthers, throwing 6 and 1/3 innings allowing only two runs on four hits, and struck out six.

Relievers Nathan Stone and Nick Albu combined to close out the last 2 and 2/3 innings allowing just one run on five hits.

Saturday’s games were much of the same for the Panthers as they got great play from both the pitching staff and the hitters as they took game one 2-1, and game two 9-4.

In game one, the it looked as though the Eastern bats were going to be quieted once again, and for much of the game they were, as Aaron Russelburg had a no-hitter into the seventh inning.

But in the top of the seventh inning right fielder Ben Duke broke up the no-hitter and was followed by a Martin homerun that eventually won the game for Eastern.

Martin’s homer helped preserve a great pitching performance by junior Scott Metz (2-1), who threw all seven innings allowing only one run on five hits while striking out three.

The nightcap of Saturday’s OVC doubleheader saw the Eastern bats wake to the tune of nine runs and nine hits, winning the game 9-4.

The Panthers were once again led by Martin, who went 3-4 with two doubles and five RBIs. Seniors Keith Laski and Josh Landon each had two hits in the game, with Laski getting two RBIs.

Senior Pete Martin (1-2) threw six strong innings giving up three runs and Mike Ziroli pitched the seventh sitting down Murray State in order striking out two of the three batters he faced.

The week wasn’t all good news for the Panthers though as they only got one win in six games against both the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the University of Memphis.

In Eastern’s only win of the six games Duke and Pignatiello each drove in three runs a piece as the Panthers won 10-5. Lefty Nick Albu got the win to push his record to 1-0.

The March 10th doubleheader against the Blazers saw the Panthers lose two games 3-1 and 9-0.

In game one Eastern’s only RBI came from Duke who drove in Pignatiello in the top of the second.

Metz took the loss in the game giving up three runs on six hits in only four innings.

In game two of the doubleheader four Eastern pitchers gave up nine runs on nine hits with Andy Hoffman taking the loss.

Sunday’s 12-5 loss had UAB’s Nick Clark, Matt Glauden and Christian Reimers all homered to lead the Blazers past the Panthers. The only bright spot was Jesse Neuhaus’ two RBIs.

After the UAB series, the Panthers traveled to Memphis to take on the Tigers of the University of Memphis.

Eastern was outscored 43-19 in the two game set losing both games by scores of 20-4 and 23-15.

In game one Mitch Rosenthal gave up nine runs and Chris Martin game up another seven as the Tigers cold do no wrong at the plate scoring 20 runs.

Game two was very similar for the Panther pitching staff as they allowed 23 runs on 18 hits including Daniel Uggla’s three homeruns and nine RBIs to pace Memphis.

Eastern’s offensive star in the game was senior second baseman Josh Landon who went 3-5 with four RBIs. The Panthers will be in action again on Tuesday when they travel to IUPU-Indianapolis.