Southern Illinois University
Bradley
Salukis Swept By Bradley 13-9 & 7-6
03/23/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 23, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Bradley University (6-8, 2-1 MVC) scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning to beat Southern Illinois University (12-6, 1-2 MVC) 7-6 in game two of an MVC doubleheader and complete a sweep of the Salukis on Saturday at Abe Martin Field.
"It was tough to watch us lose that game in the ninth inning. We wanted to get a split on the day but we couldn't close the deal after Eric Haberer pitched five great innings. Ryan Welch was strong for three innings but he and P.J. Finigan just couldn't finish it today," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
"I'll be disappointed if we don't get a split this weekend. Our goal is to win every series this year. Now we have to forget today and get after it on Sunday."
Southern took a 6-1 lead into the top of the eighth inning. Bradley scored a single run in the eighth to cut the lead to 6-2 and then exploded for five runs in the ninth to take the lead 7-6.
In the top of the ninth inning, SIU's Welch allowed a walk, a double and a walk to load the bases. Finigan came on in relief and allowed five runs to score after two singles, two wild pitches and a hit batsmen. SIU went in order in the bottom of the ninth inning to drop their fourth one-run game of the year.
Finigan (0-1) suffered his first loss of the year by giving up the final two runs. Welch gave up four runs in three and a third innings and Haberer, who started, allowed just one run in five innings and was left with the no decision.
Bradley's David Meers (1-0) won with two innings of one-run relief and Ryan Sullivan picked up his first save for the Braves.
Finigan (3-for-4, 2 RBI, run), Sal Frisella (2-for-4, RBI, 3 runs) and Cory Newman (1-for-3, 2 RBI, run) led SIU at the plate.
In game one, SIU jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning behind a three-RBI double by Toby Barnett and an RBI single by Greg Andrews only to see Bradley respond with 13 straight runs to take a commanding 13-4 lead. SIU rallied for five runs in the ninth inning but fell short 13-9 for its worst loss of the year (four runs).
"In game one, we didn't do anything well and just got beat. We didn't get many quality at bats and made errors. Our three pitchers weren't effective today. I thought we had the momentum by scoring four runs in the first inning. Jerel Deitering didn't have a good day and we'll have to check him out," added Callahan.
Deitering (4-1) allowed five runs in just one and two third innings, including a grand slam, to suffer his first loss of the year.
BU's Mike Jakubowski (1-0) allowed the four runs in the first inning, but benefitted from the scoring outburst to win his first game in 2002.
Ross Kowzan (3-for-4, RBI, 2 runs), Newman (2-for-4, 2 runs), Andrews (2-for-4, RBI, run) and Barnett (1-for-4, 3 RBI, run) led SIU in game one.
The Salukis will wrap up the series with a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m. Luke Nelson (1-1, 4.94 era) is scheduled to start for SIU on Sunday.
