Knowing they could not win the weekend series did not deter the Panthers from picking up what they perceive to be their most important victory.

“Conference championships are won on Sunday,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said.

Eastern sophomore starter and Lockport native Mike Budde took the hill for the Panthers and dominated the Samford hitters all afternoon.

“Mike was really locating his fastball well today and he had the changeup and curveball working too,” Panthers catcher Joe Hernandez said. “When you’ve got all three of those working, it’s beautiful.”

Hernandez provided his batterymate a lift in the second inning when he took a fastball thrown by Samford starter Chandler Tidwell over the left field fence to give Eastern (9-24, 6-6) a 2-0 lead.

“He just missed his spot on a fastball and I took advantage,” Hernandez said.

Budde was cruising from that point, going six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and improving his record to 3-4.

“I just felt good today and made good fastball pitches when they were sitting on breaking balls,” Budde said.

Schmitz was impressed by his No. 2 and 3 starters and feels more confident handing them the ball.

“Mike Budde is getting better every time out and I am really happy with how they are battling,” Schmitz said.

Designated hitter Jason Cobb’s double to left field plated two runs and gave the Panthers the cushion they would eventually need.

In the seventh inning, Budde allowed the first batters to reach base and then was relieved by Chris Vaculik. The sophomore was forced to go three innings to pick up his first save.

The Panthers’ closer was dominant in his first two innings of work but made things interesting in the ninth.

After issuing a walk-and-bloop single, Vaculik got a fielder’s choice out before Eastern fans were scared by a Matt Ailling line drive. The ball nailed Vaculik in the left wrist and with lefty Mike Manns in the bullpen, a mound visit from Schmitz didn’t look good for Vaculik.

“I kind of knew he was going to stick with me but I was just glad it didn’t get me in the bare hand,” Vaculik said.

Samford’s Parker Gargis immediately grounded into a 5-4-3 double play to end the game and allow Eastern to salvage a game against the Bulldogs (11-23, 6-6).

“I think in the first two games, they out played us but we came ready to play today,” Vaculik said.