The Eastern baseball team attempted to carry the momentum of its first win into a matchup against St. Louis, but it was to no avail.

The Panthers struggled to get much of anything going in the game, as they fell to St. Louis 2-0.

Eastern dropped to 1-11 with the loss, and the Billikens improved to 5-8.

Although the team could not muster any runs in the game, Eastern still finished with seven hits in the game, which was just as many as St. Louis.

The Panthers sent senior Jake Johansmeier to the mound to start the game, though his performance just was not enough.

The Billikens were able to get to Johansmeier with a two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning.

St. Louis had a chance to add one more run in the inning, but sophomore Joseph Duncan made the throw from the outfield to get the runner out at home plate.

Johansmeier got off to a slow start by giving up one run in the first inning, but he took control from there.

He went on to pitch 3.2 scoreless innings after that before being replaced in the fifth inning by junior Chase Thurston.

Thurston struggled in his appearance, recording just one out. He was replaced after allowing a run in the sixth inning.

Junior Jake Haberer and sophomore Andy Fisher pitched the final three innings of the game without allowing a run.

But their strong relief was not enough, as the Panthers’ offense struggled mightily.

Eastern had a chance to tack on a run when freshman Jackson Mueller singled to left field, allowing senior Jason School to make a run for home.

But a laser throw from the outfield caused Scholl to be tagged out at home and stopped any runs from the EIU offense.

Freshman Dane Toppel continued his strong season at the plate, going 2-4 in the game.

Toppel extended his hitting streak to six games and improved his batting average to .379 this season.

Sophomore Cale Hennemann also added onto his stellar hitting season, going 1-4.

Hennemann was able to maintain his average in the game, as he is batting .372 on the year.

Toppel and Hennemann continue to be two of top hitters in Eastern’s lineup. They hold the best batting averages on the team.

The loss is another setback for the Panthers, but there is still plenty of baseball to play.

Eastern will take a short break before returning to action with a three-game series against conference opponent Austin Peay beginning Friday.

That three-game trip will be the first conference matchup for the Panthers this season.

There are also plenty of road trips left as well.

Eastern has not played a home game yet this season, and will not play at home until March 22^nd.

Maher Kawash can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].