MONTGOMERY, Ala. | Eastern Illinois used a six-run first inning to beat Alabama State, 9-4 at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex Tuesday night.

Eastern Illinois (5-9) got on the board first on a Hunter Morris double to score Jimmy Govern for the first run of the game, before Ryan Knernschield put the Panthers on top 2-0. The Panthers used a pair of hits to push the lead to 4-0, before a two-run home run off the bat of Christian Pena put Eastern Illinois up 6-0.

Alabama State answered in the bottom of the first inning with a pair of runs when Cameron Hearn doubled down the left field line to trim the lead to 6-1, before Santiago Garcia doubled to left center to push the lead to 6-2.

The Hornets trimmed the lead in half to 6-3 when Noel Cheneau reached on a field error to score Eriq White. Eastern Illinois answered with a run in the sixth and a pair in the ninth to push the lead to 9-3. Alabama State scored their final run of the game in the ninth inning on a fielding error by Eastern Illinois to push the score to 9-4.

Gage Dollar (1-2) suffered the loss for Alabama State, working 2.2 innings and allowing six runs (five earned) off of eight hits. He also struck out one in the loss, as he was one of four pitchers used on the night.

Hearn finished the night 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and a run batted in, while Garcia finished 2-for-5 for the Hornets.

The two will meet tomorrow night at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex, with first pitch scheduled for 6 pm. Tickets are available for purchase at $5 at the gate.

Follow the Hornets
For complete coverage of Alabama State University baseball, follow the Hornets on social media @BamaStateBB (Twitter), /BamaStateSports (Facebook) and @BamaStateSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Alabama State athletics at BamaStateSports.com.