MARION, Ill. (Interstat) — Eastern Illinois defeated Southeast Missouri State 3-2 on Thursday evening at Rent One Park in an Ohio Valley Conference matchup.

The Panthers struck in the third inning after falling behind 2-0. Tyler Castro singled to right center, driving in a run, and Mike O’Conor followed with a two-run double to right center, scoring Castro and Stanley for a 3-2 lead. Southeast Missouri State’s Andrew Ramirez homered down the left field line in the seventh, his second of the season, but the Redhawks could not tie the game.

Eastern Illinois outhit Southeast Missouri State 5-4. Bryce Riggs, Anthony Solis and Gavin Johnston pitched for their respective teams, with Solis earning the win. Andrew Carroll took the loss for the Redhawks.

The Panthers improved to 32-19, while the Redhawks fell to 39-17. Southeast Missouri State had won the previous three meetings between the teams, but Eastern Illinois swept the earlier series in early May.