Efficiency was the name of the game Tuesday afternoon as Eastern’s baseball hosted the University of Illinois-Chicago. And efficient is exactly what the Panthers’ offense was in the 11-5 non-conference win.

Although the Flames (21-23) outhit Eastern (25-14, 14-0) 16-12 in the game, the Panthers got more scoring production out of their hits than the Flames.

“We must have left at least a dozen guys on base in this one,” UIC head coach Mike Dee said. “We didn’t get the big hits when we needed them and they did. I guess that’s just baseball.”

UIC left 13 runners on base for the game while Eastern stranded just four. After starter Jared Marshall managed to squirm his way out of the first inning without giving up a run, despite allowing three straight singles to start the game, the Panthers got on the board first. Senior center fielder Bob VanHoorebeck singled in second baseman Josh Landon who doubled to lead off the inning.

That 1-0 lead wouldn’t last for long with Marshall giving up a triple, a walk and three singles as the Flames put together a three-run second. After a trip to the bullpen in between innings with Panther head coach Jim Schmitz, Marshall settled down, not allowing another run in the next three innings.

“Jared hadn’t thrown for a while and it’s hard to stay sharp,” Schmitz said. “We kept doing something over and over again and we felt his focus wasn’t all there.

“So we talked to him about that and he went out there and had some better innings,” he said.

The Panthers would cut the lead to one in the third inning when junior designated hitter Brian Nickell hit a towering solo homer to left. The score would stay the same until the bottom of the fifth when another home run from a more unexpected source would tie the game.

Five-foot 9 inch freshman shortsop Chris Uhle hit his first homer as a Panther to tie the game up at three, but the Flames would strike back with a solo shot of their own to lead off the sixth inning. Marshall would then exit in favor of freshman reliever Jason Pinnell, who would go on to give up just one run in three innings of work while allowing just three hits.

While Pinnell kept the Flames in check, the Panthers had a hay day with UIC reliever Eric Carlson.

“We didn’t pitch very well,” Dee said. “And we certainly didn’t do a good job in the sixth and seventh innings.”

In those two innings Eastern would score eight runs on six hits and pair of walks and two hit batters.

“Our hitters saw Jason out there shutting them down and they came in and said, `Let’s do this,'” Schmitz said. “Jason really went out there and did a nice job for us.”

Sophomore Brad Weitekamp would hit two-run homer in the sixth and Landon put the game out of reach with a grand slam in the seventh, finishing the game 3-for-5 with a double, home run and four RBI.

“Josh is just such a great leadoff hitter and he did a great job this weekend of getting walks and was 4-for-4 Sunday,” Schmitz said. “He’s a guy that has gotten better and better every year he’s been here and that grand slam really put it away.”

Right fielder Pete Pirman finished with a 2-for-5 effort while Uhle finished 2-for-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI. Nathan Stone came on to throw the ninth inning, giving up just one hit while striking out one.

“They’ve got a good club,” Dee said. “You don’t hit the ball as well as they do and put yourself in a position to win a conference championship if you’re not a great team. Eastern really did a nice job (Tuesday).”

Eastern hosts Ball State 3 p.m. this afternoon at Monier Field. Schmitz expects to start Nick Albu who struggled in his appearance last weekend against Tennessee Tech. Schmitz also expects Andy Hoffman to see some work on the mound.