Southern Illinois University
UT Martin
Saluki Sweep UT Martin DH
05/12/2001 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 12, 2001
Carbondale, IL. - Southern Illinois University Carbondale (19-35, 10-21 MVC) swept the University of Tennessee-Martin (7-46, 3-19 OVC) 7-3 and 2-0 on Saturday, May 12 at Abe Martin Field.
"It?s fun to win. Anytime you can get two wins you feel good. It's nice for the seniors to win these two games on their final weekend. Three in a row is nice and we want to end the season on a positive note tomorrow," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
"We only walked two batters in 16 innings and didn?t make an error. Hockett, Hardin and Lucht pitched well today."
In game one SIU jumped out to an early lead and held off the Skyhawks. A Roman Schooley ground out drove in a run in the first and Cory Newman doubled in a run in the second for a 2-0 lead.
The Skyhawks tied it at 2-2 in the top of the third and the Salukis responded with two runs in the bottom of the third when Sal Frisella?s pop fly was dropped by the centerfielder and he scored on the routine play behind Schooley who was on base for a 4-2 lead.
Tennessee-Martin cut the lead to 4-3 before SIU took a 6-3 lead in the sixth when Newman tripled to drive in a run and Luke Nelson followed with a double to score Newman. Jeff Stanek?s home run in the seventh gave SIU the final 7-3 margin.
Victor Hockett (1-1) pitched five innings of relief to get his first win of the year. He allowed six hits and one run, struck out five and walked one. UTM?s Jason Sullivan (0-11) got the loss.
Newman led SIU with a career best 5-for-5 day including a triple, two doubles, two-RBIs and two runs. Scott Hankey (2-for-4, run) and Stanek (2-for-4, run, RBI) also hit well.
In game two, Billy Hardin (2-4) combined with Scott Lucht to pitch a seven inning shutout in a 2-0 win. Hardin threw five and two thirds innings allowing four hits while striking out three and walking one for his second win. Lucht (6-5) threw one and a third innings of no hit ball for his fourth save of the year. UTM?s Jason Venczel (1-11) took the loss.
Newman was the man again with a 1-for-3 game, a run and an RBI while Dane Kerley was 1-for-2 and scored a run.
Between games coach Callahan awarded the annual awards. Senior designated hitter Roman Schooley was awarded the Richard "Itch" Jones award as the Salukis 2001 MVP thanks to his team leading .360 average before the day began. Senior closer Scott Lucht won the James J. Mundo Jr. award for the player exhibiting the same love of the game and spirit as Mundo did. Chad McCann won the Abe Martin award for the player who shows honesty, leadership, excellence, dedication and loyalty.
"The awards aren?t just for seniors but it was nice to see Schooley, Lucht and McCann win the awards, they were very worthy," said Callahan.
The Salukis will finish the season with a 1 p.m. game against Tennessee-Martin on May 13 at Abe Martin Field.
