Eastern Illinois baseball (19-17, 9-5 OVC) shifts to nonconference play with two midweek games against Butler (April 22) and Illinois Wesleyan (April 23). They recently completed a series sweep against Tennessee Tech, marking their first of the season. EIU has a favorable all-time record against Butler but has struggled historically against Illinois Wesleyan. The team aims to leverage its strong offensive and pitching statistics to maintain momentum.

By the Numbers
  • Eastern Illinois leads the conference with 280 runs scored this season.
  • Butler's Jack Moroknek boasts a .406 batting average, ranking second in the Big East.
  • EIU's pitching staff allowed 180 earned runs, the fewest in the OVC.
State of Play
  • EIU swept Tennessee Tech in the previous series, strengthening their OVC standing.
  • Butler enters the matchup struggling with a 14-25 record and a 10.68 team ERA.
  • Illinois Wesleyan holds an impressive .341 batting average, leading Division-III.
What's Next

The Panthers will return to OVC competition this weekend against Southern Indiana, beginning April 25. They aim to extend their winning streak and bolster their conference standings.

Bottom Line

Eastern Illinois aims to capitalize on their recent success and high-scoring offense in upcoming nonconference games, while maintaining focus as they head back into OVC play. The results of these matchups could significantly impact their momentum for the remainder of the season.