Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Missouri St.
Baseball Falls To SMS 12-7 In Series Opener
04/12/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 12, 2002
Ozark, Mo. - Southwest Missouri State University (22-5, 8-1 MVC) scored eight runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to overcome a 7-4 Southern Illinois University (17-12, 6-7 MVC) lead and beat the Salukis 12-7 on Friday at Price Cutter Field.
Down 3-0 after one inning, SIU battled back to take a 7-4 lead with seven runs on five hits and an error in the top of the third inning, when 11 Salukis came to the plate.
Cory Newman led off with a single, Ross Kowzan singled two batters later and P.J. Finigan hit a three-run home run, his second homer of the year, to tie the game at 3-3. Jeff Stanek followed with a single, Sal Frisella reached on an error, Greg Andrews walked to load the bases and Stanek scored to give SIU a 4-3 lead when Justin Maurath followed with a walk. Newman tripled to drive in three runs and give the Salukis a 7-3 lead. Newman's second hit of the inning chased SMS starter Matt Palmer.
SIU starter Jake Alley pitched seven innings, striking out eight and walking one in a 130-pitch effort. Alley allowed four runs and eight hits before leaving with a 7-4 lead.
The Saluki bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Freshman relievers Andrew Weber (0-2) and Eric Haberer allowed eight runs in the bottom of the eighth before Jason Westemeir picked up the final out of the inning. SMS scored the eight runs on seven hits and sent 12 batters to the plate. Weber and Haberer each allowed four runs apiece. Weber allowed the winning run to collect his second loss.
SMS reliever David Bader (4-1) picked up the win with 6.1 innings of seven-strikeout, one walk, no-run relief of starter Matt Palmer, who only lasted 2.2 innings and gave up seven runs to SIU.
Stanek (3-for-5, run), Newman (2-for-4, 3 RBI, run), Toby Barnett (2-for-5) and Finigan (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI, run) led SIU at the plate. Newman extended his hitting streak to a career-high 16 games.
The Salukis will continue the series with a doubleheader at 2 p.m. on Saturday and a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.
