Eastern failed to escape with a win in its spring break trip, as the Panthers fell 18-10 to Arkansas State Sunday.

“We came out hitting well and had good pitching,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said.

However, Schmitz stated the Panthers inability to field the ball effectively led to their demise.

“We had eight errors and probably three more they didn’t score,” Schmitz said.

These mistakes lifted the season total of errors to 32. Half of the blunders have occurred in the middle infield.

“You have to say enough is enough, and no one’s been consistent,” Schmitz said. “Nobody wants the ball.

“Defense should never leave; sometimes you can’t hit or can’t pitch but defense should always be there.”

The contest concluded Eastern’s (1-12) eight-game losing streak through the state of Arkansas, in which they were outscored a combined 77-21 against the Indians, Arkansas and Arkansas-Little Rock.

“It was embarrassing. You’d think if you got a chance to play you’d take advantage,” Schmitz said. “I don’t know (how to fix it). That’s the three words I hate to say as a coach but I just don’t.”

The closest game came on Saturday when the Indians defeated Eastern 1-0.

Schmitz said the inability to notch a win against either Arkansas-Little Rock or Arkansas State doesn’t bode well for the upcoming Ohio Valley Conference schedule.

“Arkansas is a great team but Little Rock and Arkansas State are similar to top-tier OVC teams,” Schmitz said.

In the 1-0 loss, Arkansas State junior lefthander Taylor Fowler tossed his second complete game shutout of the season defeating a valiant effort from Eastern pitcher Chris Vacculik. Fowler dominated the Panthers all game, as he finished with a career-high 13 strike outs while walking none.

Fowler limited Eastern to just five hits as he struck out 10 batters in the first four innings of the game and only needed 109 pitches in the nine innings.

March 11 –

Eastern @ No. 11 Arkansas

loss 17-2

March 12 –

Eastern @ No. 11 Arkansas

loss 12-1

March 13 –

Eastern @ No. 11 Arkansas

loss 6-0

March 15 –

Eastern @ Arkansas-Little Rock

loss 8-3

March 16 –

Eastern @ Arkansas-Little Rock

loss 8-1

March 18 –

Eastern @ Arkansas State

loss 7-3

March 19 –

Eastern @ Arkansas State

loss 1-0

March 20 –

Eastern @ Arkansas State

loss 18-10