Southern Illinois University
Central Florida
Salukis Fall to Central Florida 10-1 in Opener
02/09/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
February 9, 2001
Orlando, Fla. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (0-1) opened its season with a disappointing 10-1 loss to #20 University of Central Florida (3-1) on Friday, February 9.
UCF belted three home runs, including two by Jeremy Frost, and scored in each of the first four innings to take a 10-0 lead.
"We didn't pitch well enough to stay in the game," said SIU head coach Dan Callahan. "Our starter (Ryan Aird) only lasted one and two-thirds innings and our pitchers are better than that."
Starter Ryan Aird (0-1) pitched just one and two-thirds innings, but he struck out five, walked five, threw three wild pitches, hit one batter, allowed two hits, and gave up three earned runs.
Jerel Deitering came on in the fifth inning and threw four strong innings of relief, striking out three Knights, and allowing no runs on four hits. The Salukis also played good defense, committing no errors in the season opener.
SIU avoided the shutout in the ninth inning when Justin Maurath scored on a wild pitch off UCF reliever Justin Cerrato.
UCF starter Justin Pope (1-1) threw six scoreless innings, allowing four hits, striking out five and walking none to earn the win.
SIU coach Dan Callahan played 20 Salukis in the opener, while Central Florida played 21 Knights.
Game two of the three game series will take place Saturday, February 10, at 1 p.m. at Jay Bergman Field. SIU is expected to start Billy Hardin (0-0), while UCF will counter with Jason Arnold (1-0).
