MARION, Ill. (Interstat) — Eastern Illinois defeated Southeast Missouri State 3-2 on Thursday evening at Rent One Park in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup, extending the Panthers’ recent dominance over the Redhawks.

The Panthers struck for three runs in the bottom of the third inning to erase a two-run deficit and held on behind a combined pitching effort. Starting pitcher Bryce Riggs earned the win after allowing two runs on four hits over six innings with one strikeout. It was Riggs’ second consecutive start without allowing a hit through six innings, following a six-inning, zero-hit outing against Western Illinois on May 15.

Southeast Missouri State took the lead in the top of the first inning. Klein singled to right-center and later scored on a fielder’s choice by Kettering, who reached on a hit through the right side. The Redhawks added another run in the third. Sullivan doubled to deep center and scored when Joggerst singled to right-center for an RBI, giving the visitors a 2-0 advantage.

Eastern Illinois answered in the bottom of the third. Rossi singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single to right-center by Castro. After a mound visit, Stanley walked and Mike doubled to right-center, driving in Castro and Stanley to put the Panthers ahead 3-2. The inning ended with Goodwin striking out, but the damage was done.

Both teams went scoreless over the next three innings. Southeast Missouri State threatened in the top of the seventh when Ramirez homered down the left-field line for his second home run of the season, cutting the deficit to 3-2. The Redhawks could not generate further offense, however, as reliever Anthony Solis entered for the Panthers and retired the next three batters. Solis pitched three scoreless, hitless innings with no walks and one strikeout to earn the save.

Gavin Johnston pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for Southeast Missouri State with two strikeouts, but the Redhawks could not solve Solis or the Eastern Illinois bullpen. Southeast Missouri State managed only four hits in the game. Andrew Carroll started for the Redhawks, going 6.2 innings with no hits allowed but three earned runs and six strikeouts. The three runs came in the third inning.

Eastern Illinois finished with five hits. Mike O’Conor went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, including the go-ahead double. Tyler Castro had one hit and one RBI. Joggerst drove in the lone run for Southeast Missouri State. Zak Goodwin went 0 for 3 for the Panthers.

The game was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season. Eastern Illinois had won each of the previous three games by scores of 8-3, 11-1 and 5-3 in a series from May 1-3 in Charleston, Illinois. The Redhawks entered Thursday having won six of their previous seven games, including a 2-1 victory over Lindenwood on Wednesday. Eastern Illinois came in after splitting a four-game series at Western Illinois, winning three of four.

Southeast Missouri State’s record improved to 39-17 overall. Eastern Illinois moved to 32-19. The Redhawks have a quick turnaround, hosting Southern Indiana on Thursday night. Eastern Illinois next plays Friday.

The pivotal sequence occurred in the bottom of the third, when the Panthers scored three runs on three hits, taking advantage of two walks and a sacrifice bunt. That inning erased the Redhawks’ 2-0 lead and ultimately proved decisive, as neither team scored again after the seventh.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Southeast Missouri State 8, Eastern Illinois 6. Interstat’s ELO system gave Southeast Missouri State a 60.20 percent probability to win.