Eastern’s baseball team will play its first home games Saturday when it host in-state rival Saint Xavier University in a doubleheader.

The Panthers’ (4-9) home opener against Indiana State was delayed due to poor field conditions Wednesday and is scheduled to be played March 26.

Eastern’s chance of opening its home schedule with a win might improve against Saint Xavier. The Cougars (14-6) compete in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Despite playing in a lower division than the Panthers, Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz respects Saint Xavier.

“(Saint Xavier) always goes to the NAIA regionals and occasionally goes into the playoffs,” Schmitz said. “It’s a very good program and he (Saint Xavier head coach Mike Dooley) recruits very well in the Chicago area.

Schmitz also knows bigger schools losing to smaller schools is not unheard of.

“Baseball is not like football or basketball,” Schmitz said. “If they have good pitching, they’ll be in there.”

Eastern lost to Division II North Florida 13-7 March 10 at the Kennel Club Classic in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dooley has a mutual respect for Schmitz and the program he has built at Eastern.

“I do know Jim (Schmitz) and I know he’s done a good job,” Dooley said. “I’ve seen him a lot on the recruiting trail.”

The Cougars have the advantage of more game experience this season. Saint Xavier has played 20 games this season, where Eastern has played 13.

Dooley is not sure the extra game experience will pay off, however.

“We’ve played some good teams, but no one like Notre Dame like (Eastern has) been playing,” Dooley said.

Dooley has a healthy mix of proven veterans and youth on his roster. Junior second baseman Ryan Howell was a Second-Team All-American last year. Senior third baseman Tom Syska provides a quality bat in the middle of the lineup.

“(Syska) has been a solid four-year guy for us and is having a solid year so far,” Dooley said.

The Cougars also start three freshmen, but outfielder Chris Gruber is injured and probably will not play Saturday.

Schmitz said Eastern will start senior right-handers Damon White (1-1, 1.61) and Matt Tyson (0-1, 5.82) this weekend.

Dooley said junior Justin Papp and senior Erik Weiler will probably start for the Cougars.