Eastern Illinois (26-17, 17-3 OVC) will host SIUE (25-18, 15-5 OVC) for a crucial weekend series. EIU sits in first place, having won ten consecutive OVC games and three straight weekend series. The Panthers aim to honor their three senior players at the opening game on Saturday. Key players include Kendall Grover, who was named OVC Player of the Week and has impressive hitting stats, and Karlie McKenzie, who maintains a standout ERA in the circle.

By the Numbers
  • Kendall Grover boasts a batting average of .354 with 46 RBIs this season.
  • Karlie McKenzie holds a record of 6-0 with a 1.55 ERA in OVC play.
State of Play
  • EIU leads the OVC standings, with SIUE close behind in second place.
  • The Panthers have a 307 team batting average and lead the league in overall team ERA.
What's Next

Following the series against SIUE, EIU will play a midweek game against Illinois, before concluding their regular season at Western Illinois next weekend.

Bottom Line

For EIU, securing a strong performance against SIUE is essential for maintaining their OVC lead and building momentum heading into the postseason. The contributions of key players will be critical to achieving these goals.