Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
New Orleans
Baseball Falls To New Orleans 5-4 In Classic Opener
02/22/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 22, 2002
New Orleans, La. - Despite overcoming a 4-0 deficit to tie host New Orleans (3-1) at 4-4 in the top of the ninth inning, Southern Illinois University (2-2) lost its opener at the New Orleans/Ron Maestri Classic 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning to the Privateers on Friday at Privateer Park.
"It was a great comeback in the ninth, it's just a shame we lost the game," stated Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach. "Jake Alley pitched better than the score indicated and their pitcher Tom Lapari was outstanding with great command of three pitches. He was dominating tonight."
Lapari threw seven innings for UNO, allowing just one hit while striking out eight. He retired 20 straight Saluki hitters. Southern Illinois battled back in the ninth against reliever Lucas Trotter (1-0) when Luke Nelson reached on an error, Jeff Stanek doubled and Toby Barnett's double drove in two runs. Greg Andrews followed with a two-run home run to tie the game at 4-4.
SIU's Bill Clayton (0-1) made his first appearance of the year in the eighth for Alley, striking out a hitter and forcing two ground balls to end the inning. In the ninth the leadoff hitter J.D. Huether tripled and Justin LoFranco followed with a single to win the game 5-4.
Alley (1-0) allowed ten hits, four runs (three earned) and struck out six and walked three in seven innings for the Salukis.
SIU was held to five hits led by Stanek, Barnett and Andrew's extra base hits to score all four runs.
The Salukis face the University of Missouri on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Tigers lost 7-6 to Notre Dame in ten innings. The game can be heard at www.mutigers.com.
