Spring Break
Baseball: Morrell solid as Panthers roll
Collin Whitchurch / Assistant Sports Editor
Issue date: 3/25/09 Section: Sports
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Morrell, who had struggled to a 1-1 record and 5.82 ERA this season, looked more like the pitcher who was the Panthers' first man out of the bullpen a year ago than the man who threw in his first eight appearances this season.
"(Morrell) really looked like last year for the first time," Eastern head coach Jim Schmitz said. "Today he let it go, had the ball sinking. He really had that comfortable look out there."
The Panthers (14-5) took advantage of a strong wind blowing out to continue their offensive powers, belting four home runs. Senior third baseman Zach Skidmore belted two, while junior first baseman Alex Gee and red-shirt freshman catcher Ben Thoma had one each.
But the pitching was the story of the game, as Morrell combined with sophomore right hander Zach Carney and sophomore lefty Ryan Green to allow just one run to the Cougars (2-22).
Morrell improved to 2-1 on the season after allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out seven. Carney and Green combined for four innings of three hit, one run ball.
"Morrell, Carney, Green - were all exceptional," Schmitz said. "One run with all that wind is pretty amazing. They kept the ball down."
Chicago State's only run came on a solo home run off Carney in the seventh inning.
Skidmore's two blasts give him three for the season and Thoma also has three. Gee's shot was his first of the season.
Skidmore finished with a team-high five RBIs and also walked twice.
Senior right fielder Ryan Lindquist drove in four runs while going 3-for-6 from the plate. Thoma and Gee had three hits apiece.
The Panthers jumped ahead early, leading 11-0 after three innings. Schmitz said doing that has been key all season.
"We got out on them early, a lot of wind blowing up and we got a few balls up and they went out," he said. "Getting on a team early is important. We've been doing it all year no matter who it is. That was encouraging."
The win came the day before the Panthers' home opener after starting the season with 19 straight games on the road. Eastern will host Illinois State at 3 p.m. today at Coaches Stadium.
HOME OPENER TODAY
The Eastern baseball team will play their first home game of the season at 3 p.m. today against Illinois State at Coaches Stadium. The Panthers will send red-shirt freshman Mike Martin to the mound as they attempt to improve on their 14-5 record.
Collin Whitchurch can be reached at 581-7944 or cfwhitchurch@eiu.edu.
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