Southern Illinois University
Murray St.
Home Run Gives Salukis Extra-Inning Win Over Murray State
04/25/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 25, 2001
Cory Newman hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to give Southern Illinois University Carbondale (16-27, 9-15 MVC) a 4-2 win over Murray State University (26-18-1, 9-6 MVC) on Wednesday, April 25 at Abe Martin Field.
"It feels great (to hit the home run). We didn't get down after they tied the game and we came back and got the job done. I hope this game gives us some momentum and we can get into the MVC tournament," Newman said.
The Salukis earned their first midweek victory (1-4) of the year due in large part to the pitching of Josh Joiner, who pitched eight and two third innings before exiting after the score was tied at 2-2.
"It was just nice to get the monkey off our back as far as a midweek game. We haven't played a close midweek game since we lost to Murray State earlier this year," added Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach. "I was disappointed we gave up the lead in the ninth but we found a way to come back and win. It was nice to win in dramatic fashion. I'm happy for Josh Joiner for pitching so well and keeping us in the game and Cory Newman for hitting the walk off home run in the tenth."
After five and a half scoreless innings, SIU took the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Newman lead off with a single and after an out, moved to third on a single by Roman Schooley. Scott Hankey's sacrifice fly brought in Newman. Schooley stole second and Jeff Stanek followed with a single to give SIU a 2-0 lead.
Joiner held Murray State scoreless until the top of the ninth. After a Thoroughbreds runner reached on an error, Joiner forced two pop fly outs before Brett McCutchan hit a two run home run to tie the game at 2-2.
The Salukis brought in closer Scott Lucht (6-2) for the final out in the ninth and eventually the win. In the top of the tenth Sal Frisella threw Todd Satterfield out at home after he doubled with two outs and tried to score on a single to end the Murray State half of the inning.
That set the stage for Newman. After John Clem walked with one out, Newman crushed a pitch from MSU reliever Gordon Dugan (1-4) over the leftfield fence for his second round tripper and an SIU win.
SIU was led by Newman (2-for-4, home run, two-RBIs, two runs) and Jeff Stanek (1-for-3, RBI).
Joiner (0-1) pitched eight and two third innings allowing no earned runs (two total), six hits, struck out two and walked no one. He entered the game with 11.1 innings in six appearances and dropped his era from 11.91 to 6.75 after the outing.
This weekend the Salukis travel to Evansville, Indiana for a crucial four game MVC series with the Purple Aces on April 27-29.
