After opening up a three-game series against No. 17 Mississippi State with a 3-1 loss, Eastern ended the weekend on a rougher note, losing 16-6 on Saturday before being rained out on Sunday.

The Panthers (0-5) appeared to have luck on their side as the Bulldogs (2-0) opened the game with two straight errors to put Eastern runners on base.

But with one out and two runners in scoring position, junior outfielder Keiji Szalo flied out to right field. Sophomore outfielder Mark Chagnon, tagged up to score but was thrown out at the plate to complete the inning-ending double play.

Mississippi State jumped on the board first, scoring one run in the second and two more in the fifth. Eastern scored its only run of the game in the sixth off on sophomore Eric Huber’s single.

Senior left-hander Ted Juske started for the Panthers, allowing three hits and three runs in five innings. Eastern out-hit Mississippi State 6-4.

On Saturday, the Panthers once again jumped out to a quick start before quickly slowing down. With the bases loaded in the first inning, sophomore Kevin Carkeek singled to left, scoring two Panther runs.

With a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the second, the Bulldog bats heated up.

Eastern senior starting pitcher Kyle Widegren allowed five hits and six runs before being pulled for junior Mike Bouchez, who finished the inning and allowed one more run.

Mississippi State kept their momentum rolling, scoring six more runs in the sixth. Sophomore outfielder Mark Chagnon led the Panthers in the losing cause, going 3-4, with three RBI’s and two runs.

Eastern returns to action Saturday when they play Olivet Nazerene in a doubleheader in their home opener at Coaches Stadium.