Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Creighton
Baseball Splits Sunday Doubleheader and Series With Creighton
03/31/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 31, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Jeff Stanek's two RBI double in the seven-run, seventh inning plated the winning run and Scott Hankey's first career grand slam led Southern Illinois University (15-8, 4-4 MVC) to a 14-4 come from behind win over Creighton University (10-11, 4-3 MVC) in game two of a Sunday doubleheader at Abe Martin Field.
"We were close to losing three of four at home. Our offense helped us find a way to split the series and came up big in the seventh inning of game two today. We scored 27 runs in two wins and lose the other two games," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
"I admire Scott Hankey for getting a good at bat after struggling early. He stayed on a pitch and hit a grand slam and that was a huge at bat for us. All we wanted was a sacrifice fly."
The Salukis won due to the ten-run rule for the second straight day when Greg Andrews singled in two runs to reach the 14-4 margin in the eighth inning. The win gave SIU a split of the doubleheader and the Missouri Valley Conference series (2-2) with the Bluejays. SIU fell 10-2 in game one of the doubleheader, a seven inning affair. The Salukis had six errors in two games Sunday after committing just 15 in the previous 21 games.
Trailing 4-2 in the seventh inning, SIU scored seven runs on six hits and an error to take a 9-4 lead after eight straight Salukis reached base. Ross Kowzan's RBI double cut the lead to 4-3 and Stanek's two-RBI double gave SIU a 5-4 advantage. Creighton walked Sal Frisella intentionally to load the bases and face Hankey. Hankey followed with his first grand slam and second career home run to give the dawgs a 9-4 lead. The Salukis added five more runs when seven straight batters reached in the eighth inning and Andrews' single produced the 14-4, ten run margin which ended the game.
"The win was huge and we needed a split to get us going for next week. I hadn't done much all day but I felt confident in myself and he threw a pitch I could drive and I hit it well. That's my first-ever grand slam and I'm happy. I took it personally when they walked Frisella to load the bases and get to me," added Hankey.
Josh Joiner (1-0) picked up his first college win after a strong start. Joiner pitched seven innings, struck out six, walked one and gave up four hits and one earned run in his first start of 2002.
"Josh Joiner pitched well. I was very pleased with his effort. He competed and if we don't make four errors we're winning that game and not losing. He did a good job of keeping us in the game," added Callahan.
CU reliever Prentice Lofstedt (1-3) allowed four runs and didn't get an out in the seventh to get the loss.
Stanek (2-for-3, 3 RBI, 3 runs, double), Barnett (3-for-5, 2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Hankey (2-for-4, grand slam, 5 RBI, 2 runs), Kowzan (2-for-5, 2 runs, RBI), Cory Newman (2-for-4, RBI, run) and Andrews (2-for-5, 2 RBI) led the 14-hit barrage.
In game one, Creighton jumped out to a 6-0 lead against Nelson (2-2) and won easily 10-2. Nelson allowed six earned runs and ten overall to suffer the loss. Creighton's Matt Buckingham (3-1) threw a complete game, allowing nine hits, two runs and one walk while striking out four in seven innings.
Stanek (3-for-4, RBI), Newman (1-for-2, run) and Clem (1-for-3, run) led SIU in game one at the plate. Stanek finished the Creighton series with a .750 batting average (12-for-16) which included three home runs, two doubles, 10 RBI, six runs, 23 total bases, a 1.438 slugging percentage, a .778 on base percentage, two walks, no errors in four starts at first base and just one strikeout.
Next up, SIU will travel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri to face Southeast Missouri State University on Wednesday, April 3 at 3 p.m.
