Eastern will look for better results in conference play this weekend as the Panthers head into their Ohio Valley Conference road opener against Murray State.

Last weekend the Panthers (4-17) lost two of three games to Tennessee-Martin at Coaches Stadium and currently sit in a three-way tie for six place. The Thoroughbreds of Murray State also find themselves at 1-2 in conference play after dropping two games against Southeast Missouri State over the weekend. With both the Panthers and Thoroughbreds trying to free themselves from the crowded OVC standings, Eastern head coach Jimmy Schmitz knows this upcoming series is key for the blue and white.

“Both teams are 1-2 and we’re obviously at Murray so it’s a big weekend for us,” Schmitz said.

The skipper, now in his 10th year leading Eastern, noted his team can’t make the miscues on the diamond against Murray State after poor play defensively cost the Panthers a game against Tennessee-Martin. The Panthers had seven errors during the three games and in the rubber match on Sunday, Eastern was guilty of four mistakes leading to four unearned runs in an 8-4 loss.

“Tennessee-Martin was a weekend where we gave them one game easily,” Schmitz said. “We have two days of practice (before the Murray State games) so our focus is to look at these two days to kind of get us going where we need to be defensively to cut down on mistakes.”

The fielding is certainly a concern for the Panthers this weekend but after two games of 10 or more runs offensively Eastern’s early season woes at the plate appear to be over.

“I thought the bats were back (in the 19-10 loss to Saint Louis) and obviously (against Chicago State) they were, we just made some good timing,” Schmitz said. “I told the guys we needed a big win to get the bats going and we got that.”

One player whose bat never left was third baseman Ryan Campbell. The freshman from Orland Park appeared locked in as he took three Chicago State offerings deep on Wednesday and finished the game 4-5 with seven RBIs.

But overshadowed was Campbell’s career day was outfielder Pete Stone, who quietly drove in five runs after entering the game in the fifth inning as a defensive replacement. Stone connected on a two-run double before Stone smashed a three-run blast the next inning.

After Stone’s showing against Chicago State, Schmitz is hopeful the sophomore can continue his hot streak this weekend.

“Pete was striking out way too much [earlier in the season] but he handled the situation real well and I’m really excited about the way he jumped right in there and did well.”

After a tough start out of the gate, the Thoroughbreds have rebounded to win five of the last seven and currently stand at 7-16 overall. Murray State is led by the junior tandem of infielders Clint Griggs and Geoff Kirksey. Griggs leads the Thoroughbreds with a .347 average and is tied for second with 12 RBIs, while Kirksey is second in average (.341) and tops in homers (4) and RBIs with 19.

Schmitz said the Panthers will send sophomore lefty Kirk Miller (1-3, 4.45) to the mound in game one and Kyle Widegren (1-4, 8.69) in game two of the twin bill. Pitcher/designated hitter Erik Huber (0-3, 10.61) will grab the ball in the finale on Sunday.

With the number of high scoring games the Panthers have played recently, the outcome may be decided by their bats and if that?s the case Campbell says he will be ready.

“I feel pretty confident that we’ll go in there and get it done,” Campbell said. “We should be ready to go on Saturday.”