With the Panthers riding a seven-game losing streak and coming out on the wrong end of 10 of 11, the last thing Eastern wanted to see was the conference’s best starting pitcher.

The Panthers will travel to Clarksville, Tenn., for a three-game tilt and in the opening game will see the Ohio Valley Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year, Rowdy Hardy.

The junior right-handed fireballer that was named to the preseason team Louisville Slugger All-American second-team has won 19 games in two seasons, including seven so far this year; he was also named 2005 Austin Peay Most Outstanding Male Athlete.

“We need to take the outside part of the plate away from him with his great changeup,” Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said. “He doesn’t like the running game, either, so maybe we’ll try some different things.”

Hardy, who is expected to be a high draft pick in the MLB entry draft, has a fastball that is clocked in the mid-90s, which has led to a team-high 64 strikeouts in only 78.1 innings. The Bethel Springs, Tenn., native has compiled a record of 7-4 with a 2.41 ERA.

“When we get somebody on, we better get them in,” Schmitz said. “We know that he’s very good, so it won’t be easy.”

The Eastern hurler with the task of staying with Hardy will be the Panther’s number-one starter, Kyle Widegren.

Widegren is 2-6 with a 7.07 ERA and has struggled in his last three OVC starts.

“He – like the whole team – hasn’t gotten over the hump, and it’s a matter of understanding that this could be a big weekend,” Schmitz said. “They either understand it or they don’t.”

It may not get any easier for Eastern after Hardy as the Panthers will be forced to face two more aces with ERAs around or under 4.00 in Devin Thomas and Shawn Kelly.

“They pitch well and they aren’t known for hurting themselves,” Schmitz said.

This three-game series could be an early preview for the first round of the OVC Tournament as the Governors are in second after a slow start in OVC and the Panthers reside in eighth place, which is the final qualifying spot for postseason play. The Governors will look to improve their 14-3 record at Raymond C. Hand Park.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz has said that he can see his team winning eight or nine of its final 12 OVC contests if they put a total game together but have failed to do that in the latest weeks.

The one Panther who has been consistent at the plate has been designated hitter Jason Cobb, who has raised his batting average to .286 and – after a power surge against Illinois and Illinois State – has lifted his slugging percentage to .500.

“I need to put them in situations where we don’t need the two-out hit,” Schmitz said. “That’s the key in turning this season around is the mindset.”

The series will get underway Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 1:00 and ending with a contest on Sunday.