EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE outhit Eastern Illinois Friday, but the Panthers defeated the Cougars 4-1 in the opener of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series at Simmons Baseball Complex.

The Panthers moved into a virtual tie for first place in the OVC with SIUE with the win. SIUE is now 15-7 in the OVC. Eastern Illinois 13-6.

Eastern Illinois scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings to chase SIUE starter Tim Teixeira (3-4) after 4 2/3 innings. Teixeira gave up six hits and struck out six.

Ryan Niedzwiedz and Joshua Heyder opened the sixth inning with back-to-back hits off of EIU starter Tyler Kapraun before a one-out ground out by Ethan Willoughby brought in a run for the Cougars.

Kapraun (5-4) worked 5 2/3 innings and allowed the single run on eight hits. He struck out seven.

The Panthers added an unearned run in the seventh against SIUE reliever Liam McKillop in the seventh to extend the lead out to 4-1.

The Cougars put two runners on the eighth inning with one out but a double play ended the inning. Willoughby and Lane Crowden to open the bottom of the ninth inning. Mack Mitchell singled with two outs to load the bases but the Cougars couldn't score. SIUE left 11 runners on for the game.

Mitchell was 4-5 to lead the Cougars at the plate. Willoughby was 2-3 with an RBI and a walk. Niedzwiedz was 2-4 with a run scored.

Zak Goodwin was 2-4 to lead the Panthers.

Game two of the series is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday. SIUE will honor its senior class prior to first pitch Saturday.