TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Eastern Illinois Panthers erupted for eight runs in the first two innings and capitalized on a season-opening slew of Florida A&M mistakes to secure a 13-4 victory over the Rattlers on Friday at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded in the evening, saw the Panthers pound out 12 hits and benefit from seven Rattlers errors, leading to six unearned runs. Florida A&M managed just six hits in its opener.

The most important sequence of the game came immediately, as Eastern Illinois sent 10 batters to the plate in a chaotic top of the first inning, seizing a 5-0 lead without the benefit of an extra-base hit. Kyree Alexander singled, Brett Stanley was hit by a pitch and James Love drove in the first run with a double. The Panthers then exploited wildness and defensive miscues, scoring two runs on wild pitches and another on a pickoff play that allowed a runner to score from third.

Eastern Illinois broke the game open with a three-run second inning, all unearned, fueled by a Rattlers error and a two-run single by Zak Goodwin. The early 8-0 deficit proved insurmountable for Florida A&M.

The Panthers added two more in the fifth on an RBI single from Tyler Castro and a sacrifice fly from Love. After the Rattlers scratched across a single unearned run in the second, they showed a brief spark in the seventh, plating three runs on a two-run single by W. Brown. That rally cut the deficit to 8-4 and forced an Eastern Illinois pitching change.

Eastern Illinois responded immediately, however, putting the game out of reach with a five-run eighth inning. The rally was again aided by Florida A&M fielding errors, with two runs scoring on a misplay by the second baseman.

Alexander, Stanley, Love and Goodwin each reached base multiple times for the Panthers, part of a relentless offensive attack. Justen Crews had an RBI single for the Rattlers in their seventh-inning rally.

Eastern Illinois pitcher T. Conklin earned the win, working six innings and allowing one unearned run on three hits while striking out four. Florida A&M starter G. Workman took the loss, recording only four outs while surrendering eight runs, though only five were earned.

With the victory, Eastern Illinois begins its season 1-0, while Florida A&M starts 0-1. The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Eastern Illinois entered with a 55.70 percent probability to win.