Eastern lost its fourth one-run game Tuesday in Saint Louis as the Billikens came from four runs down to win 9-8 in a ninth inning thriller.

The Panthers tied the game up in the top of the ninth by getting a double down the left field line by catcher Bret Pignatiello. Later Pignatiello crossed the plate on a single to right by right fielder Kirk Walters. However, this may be when Eastern could say they lost the game at the plate.

Down by one run with no outs and runners on the corners in the eighth inning, the Panthers failed to score a single run. Eastern left nine runners on base during the afternoon.

Pignatiello led off the ninth inning with a double down the leftfield line and moved to third on a wild pitch. Walters drove a single to center to plate the tying run. Danny Jordan followed with a bloop single to right which moved Walters to third. With runners on the corners and no outs, Billikens reliever Dan Guntorious got Aaron Shelbourne to ground out, allowing Jordan to move to second but keeping Walters on third. After striking out pinch hitter Pete Stone, Guntorius induced another ground ball from center fielder Eugene Oliver to end the inning and keep the game tied.

“It just went their way, I guess,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said.

The Panthers were able to rock Billiken starting pitcher Kurt Struckhoff for six runs on eight hits in only three innings pitched.

“We came out and played well early and it was encouraging to see today,” Schmitz said.

However, the Billikens bullpen combined for two runs on nine hits in six innings. It was during that period where the Saint Louis bats caught fire with seven runs in four innings.

Panthers starter Jared Marshall was able to pitch 5 1/3 innings and only gave up four runs on five hits, but most importantly only allowed two walks in a game he left winning 6-4. However, Micah Gray allowed back-to-back home runs during a Saint Louis four run seventh inning on two pitches that Schmitz said were destined to be hit.

“They were stealing our signs and stealing our pitches,” Schmitz said. “Therefore, Micah made two good pitches that traveled 500 feet.”

Jason Pinnell came in to relieve Gray but did manage to receive the loss.

“We’re not figuring it out because we say we’re getting better but we’re hitting and walking way too many batters,” Schmitz said.

In the final inning, Eastern closer Nathan Stone came in after Pinnell hit the lead off man. Stone allowed a walk and two hits including the game-winning on a 3-2 count which got past second baseman Chris Uhle. In the end, the senior failed to record an out in the final inning.

“We really played very well defensively with no errors but we just can’t allow the lead off man to get on so easily,” Schmitz said. “That’s what starts a rally.”