CHARLESTON, Ill. – The Eastern Illinois Panthers scored nine runs over the first four innings of the game at Coaches Stadium to defeat the Butler Bulldogs on Monday afternoon. Michael Hartnagel would lead the club in a losing effort with a 3-for-5 day from the plate that extended his hitting streak to 17 games. The lead-off man supplied Butler with a double and a triple, but it wouldn't be enough to overcome the early deficit.

BU went down in order in the top of the first and then allowed three runs off two hits in the bottom half of the frame. The second inning was more of the same as an EIU double play would slow down Butler's effort from the dish. The home team wouldn't have any problems however as Demetre Taylor's home run moved the scoreboard to 5-0.

Tyler Houston would put Butler in the scoring column in the third with an RBI single to left center that scored Nick Bartolone, but the Panthers would get the run back and tack one more on in the bottom of the third. Nick Maton had a solo home run in the third and would return to the dish in the fourth to deliver a two-RBI double.

Butler inserted some new players into the lineup by the seventh inning which helped generate a run. Alex Horowitz came up with a pinch-hit, two-out single to right center as part of a 2-for-2 day. Hartnagel would score on the base knock.

The final run of the game would once again include Hartnagel as the BU shortstop tripled to right centerfield to score Sam Russo.

Matt Ryan would take the loss for Butler while the win would go to Ben Hughes. Three other BU pitchers saw time on the mound. Sam Hubbe was knocked around for four earned runs, but Ottavio Dattolo would enter the game to slow down EIU. Dattolo tossed three innings and only allowed two hits. The final frame of the day would belong to Tyler Rathjen who pitched a perfect eighth inning.

Butler will now shift their focus to the Ball State Cardinals who will make their way to Bulldog Park tomorrow for a 3:30 PM first pitch.