After finishing their spring break trip with a record of 7-1, the Eastern baseball team concludes its 19-game season-opening road trip at 3 p.m. today as it travels to Chicago State.

The Cougars have struggled to a 2-21 start on the season with losses by scores of 28-2, 16-0 and 31-1.

However, Eastern senior center fielder Brett Nommensen said he tells his teammates before games like this to play like it is the conference tournament championship.

“I would say we have to play our game,” said Nommenson, who leads the team with seven home runs out of the leadoff spot. “Don’t slump down to their level. We just need to go out and dominate and score as many runs as we can. Don’t let down just because they’re not as good, because it’s baseball and anything can happen.”

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz will send senior right-hander Brian Morrell to the hill against the Cougars. Morrell is 1-1 on the season with a 5.62 ERA in eight appearances, including one start.

The Cougars have three hitters batting over .300 on the season, led by senior infielder Patrick Hernandez, who is hitting a team-high .348 and also leads the Cougars with seven doubles on the season.

The Cougars have only four home runs on the season, compared to the Panthers’ 22. Senior catcher Matt Haug leads Chicago State with two home runs.

Senior shortstop Jordan Kreke, who was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week Monday after hitting three home runs in the Panthers’ weekend sweep of Morehead State, said he is confident the Panthers will not let up against their inferior opponent.

“We’re a good enough team and we have the experience to know what we have to do no matter who it’s against,” he said. “The big thing is not to play down to our opponents’ level. We just take it like every other game.”

The Panthers opened OVC play last weekend with a three-game sweep of Morehead State. They open the home portion of their schedule at 3 p.m. Wednesday against Illinois State.

Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].