Eastern took care of Chicago State (2-15) in Wednesday’s doubleheader with the Cougars, winning 9-6 and 11-6.

Eastern (10-14) used these two games in the middle of the week to prepare for its Ohio Valley Conference opening three-game series at Morehead State.

“The idea in a mid-week game is to get the freshman (pitchers) into a rhythm,” Schmitz said.

Freshman left-hander Kirk Miller started game one and struggled to allow the Cougars to bat around in the opening inning. When the damage was done, Chicago State had four runs on four hits in the first inning. Miller did calm down and did not allow another another base hit for the next two innings he was on the mound.

Eastern responded with a two-run single from Kirk Walters and an RBI single courtesy of Danny Jordan.

Jared Marshall (2-1) relieved for the next two innings and gave up two runs on only two hits but received the victory for his work.

In the sixth, Mike Budde became the third consecutive freshman to see action by pitching a perfect inning.

The game was tied at six going into the sixth inning, but the Panthers got three runs in the next two innings off of Cougars reliever Alins Kyota (0-1) who suffered the loss.

Senior closer Nathan Stone picked up his third save of the season by earning two strikeouts in the final inning.

“It was nice for the veterans to close out both games for the freshmen,” Schmitz said.

In the second game, freshman Alex Chapple made his NCAA debut and took a while to settle down. Chapple gave up a lead off of a single to Cougars left fielder Brian Grippo, and then walked the two batters. However, other than a run scoring wild pitch, Chapple was able to wiggle out of the jam.

In the Panthers’ opening inning, Eastern scored four unearned runs off three hits and three Cougar errors. Designated hitter Nolan Cork’s two-run single blow the inning wide open. Cork finished the pair of games 4-7 with three RBIs.

In the third, Chapple walked the first two batters and Cougars first baseman reached on a error by Chris Uhle.

Senior right-hander Matt Tyson (2-1) was called from the bullpen and received the victory after allowing only four scattered hits in four innings of work.

Chicago State starter Danny Braswell was victimized by six Cougar errors. The junior allowed 11 runs on nine hits through 4 2/3 innings but only two of the runs were earned.

“This lineup is the order we feel is more offensive than any other,” Schmitz said.

Kyle Walters finished a home run shy of the cycle while centerfielder Jason Pinnel, who got his first collegiate hit and RBI, had a pair of hits.

“Walters definitely had a big day along with Nolan who was battling a hamstring injury,” Schmitz said.

The only sour note was catcher Bret Pignatiello who had his school record streak of five consecutive games with a round-tripper as well as his 10-game hitting streak come to an end.