Eastern’s doubleheader with nationally-ranked NAIA Olivet Nazarene could be looked at two different ways. The glass half-full argument states the Panthers were fortunate to get a split on Saturday and the opposite opinion is that they had an opportunity to sweep.

“I thought 13 out of 14 were really good innings,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said.

Eastern dropped the opening game by surrendering a five-run in the final inning to lose its sixth straight contest 8-7.

The Panthers were down early after designated hitter Brock Taylor crushed a Kyle Widegren fastball deep over the centerfield wall giving the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

After Olivet Nazarene led 2-0, Eastern knotted the score in the fourth on outfielder Erik Huber’s two-run single plating Ryan Campbell and Keiji Szalo.

“I think the key is we are really excited about the middle of our order with Ryan and Keiji along with Kevin Carkeek and Erik Huber is a hitting machine right now,” Schmitz said.

Eastern finally got the bats going against Tigers’ starter Jay Sayes in the following inning when Campbell took Sayes deep to left.

What appeared to be a long out turned into a home run when Olivet Nazarene left fielder Darin Zimmerman caught the ball, and then dropped it over the fence as he brought his arm back.

The Tigers brought in left-handed reliever Nic Higgins who proceeded to hit Kevin Carkeek and give up a RBI single to Huber and a bases-loaded infield hit by Jon Hickey completed the five-run fifth.

Brian Long pitched a shutout sixth inning but couldn’t keep the momentum going in the final inning. Long started the seventh and gave up a single, walked a batter, hit two and allowed a two-run single. Schmitz admitted to leaving Long on the mound too long, wanting to sort out his middle relief situation before Ohio Valley Conference play.

“I’ll take the blame for that one and then putting Parsons in that situation,” Schmitz said. “What people said is ‘Why didn’t you put in the closer?’ and my answer was, ‘I have to find out if Long and Parsons can do that.'”

Schmitz made the long walk to bring in left-hander Ryan Parson (0-1).

The sophomore from Bethany faced one batter (Taylor), walked him, and was sent to the dugout in favor of sophomore closer Chris Vaculik.

Vaculik, who was brought in with bases loaded and no out, got a strike out on a curve but left the breaking ball hanging in the zone as shortstop Michael Nastav ripped a RBI double to tie the game. Vaculik gave up a sacrifice fly that could’ve resulted in a double play but Huber struggled to get the ball out in his glove.

“In an OVC game up 7-2, I hope I don’t have to use [Vaculik] but that’s why I did what I did,” Schmitz said. “I’ve got to use some guys now otherwise they’ll think I don’t have confidence in them, but I really do.”

With the Tigers up 8-7, Olivet-Nazarene used starter Rick Weber sat the Panthers down in order to get a rare save using only six pitches.

Eastern earned its first win in the nightcap of the doubleheader beating the Tigers 5-4.

Szalo went deep for the second time this season putting the Panthers up 1-0.

Panthers starter Mike Budde (1-0) was solid on the hill allowing three runs(all earned) on four hits in 5 and 1/3 innings.

“Mike Budde pitched his heart out in game two,” Schmitz said. “He really stepped up and did the job and with [senior left-handed starter] Ted [Juske] under the weather, that was key.”

The bullpen almost crumbled again as Schmitz brought in redshirt freshman Mike Manns but only let him face one batter. The lefty from New Lenox gave up a home run rocketed off the bat of Taylor.

Schmitz learned his lesson from the opening game by immediately pulling the middle reliever for Vaculik.

The sophomore from Orland Park went 1 and 2/3 for his first save of the season.

“He really is locating his fastball much better this year and mix that with his curve ball, he’s really got a lot of confidence,” Schmitz said.

After earning their first victory of 2005, the Panthers travel to Arkansas for the spring break trip to play No. 16 Arkansas, Arkansas-Little Rock and Arkansas State.

“Our goal is to get this all figured out by Little Rock and then as a staff, we’ll be set to go,” Schmitz said.