Issue date: 3/24/08 Section: Sports

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Eastern went into the bottom of the ninth inning down one run during the first game of Friday's doubleheader against Morehead State.

A double, a single, two sacrifice bunts and an intentional walk later, Eastern junior centerfielder Brett Nommensen hit an opposite-field single down the left field line to drive in freshman third baseman Sean Estand. Estand had tied the game on a single up the middle past Morehead State sophomore reliever Quentin Morgan and senior shortstop Nick Nail.

Eastern's come-from-behind 3-2 victory started with a leadoff double by sophomore catcher Richie Derbak in the bottom of the ninth. Derbak faced a full count but was able to foul off two pitches before doubling to left-centerfield.

Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz told Derbak to get on any way possible and use a base-hit approach, Derbak said.

"I was just sitting on my back leg, just trying to get a pitch to hit," Derbak said. "It was a long at bat. (Morgan) made a mistake."

As the at bat went on, Derbak got more nervous and didn't want to strike out, he said. He wanted to put the ball in play any way possible, he added.

"Being the leadoff man, especially getting on second, makes it a lot easier," Derbak said. "We put some plays together and got the job done."

Morehead State head coach Jay Sorg said if the Eagles had gotten Derbak out, Sorg believed they would have won the game.

"You've got to give credit to the leadoff hitter," Sorg said. "He fought. He battled. He was determined to get on a sack and make things happen."


Panthers steal 10 on Morehead State

Eastern was a perfect 10-of-10 on stolen bases during its three-game series against Morehead State.

Nine of those stolen bases came during Friday's doubleheader.

Junior designated hitter Zach Skidmore was the only Eastern player to steal a base Saturday, but his was also the Panthers' only attempt, as Eastern won 16-2.

Eastern stole nine bases Friday against Morehead State junior catcher Eric Parker.

Sorg was pragmatic about the Eastern's success on the base paths. The success wasn't because of Eastern's speed or the strong wind blowing in from the outfield, he said.

"I think they just stole bases on our catcher today," Sorg said. "They saw that they were going to be able to do it, and they got more aggressive once they saw that."

Schmitz said he knew Morehead State's pitchers could hold runners on base well, but he said he also knew Eastern could run on the Eagles' catchers.

"We saw that, and that's what we teach," Schmitz said. "Find a weakness in the other team, and then go."

Nommensen led the Panthers with three stolen bases, and Skidmore and junior right fielder Ryan Lindquist had two steals each.


Eastern pitchers dominate Eagles' batters

Seven Eastern pitches combined to give up just 15 hits and five runs in the Panthers' three-game sweep against Morehead State.

Eastern also struck out 11 more batters (28-17) than the Eagles. Senior starting pitcher Tristan Facer led the Panthers with eight strikeouts.

Facer started game one for Eastern and had six strikeouts of eight outs between the second and fourth innings.

Facer and game two starter freshman Josh Mueller were pounding the strike zone well against Morehead State, Schmitz said. Mueller struck out six and struck out the side in the second inning of game two.

"Tristan, we've got to get his pitch count down, though," Schmitz said. "He's killing me. He's got to come out (with) 100 pitches after five innings."

But Facer responded well as the No. 1 pitcher during the weekend, Schmitz said.

"He grew up a little today," Schmitz said. "We talked about being the guy - being the No. 1 guy to answer the bell - and he did it. He went right out there."

Freshman right-hander Mike Hoekstra started the third game of the series and gave up five hits and two runs in six innings.

"Hoekstra's been our most consistent arm," Schmitz said. "The neatest thing is it's not just a young arm. Hoekstra and Josh Mueller, they locate (the ball) really well. Those were the two best arms in the fall. Freshmen guys, and that's why they're pitching."

The team knew it would be strong before the season even started, Nommensen said.

"We knew we were going to have a strong pitching staff with all the young guys we've got," Nommensen said. "Just all the young guys and the new guys on our team have just been helping out so much."



Scott Richey can be reached at 581-7944 or at srrichey@eiu.edu.

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