Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Murray St.
Baseball Beats Murray State 3-2
04/30/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 30, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Toby Barnett's two out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning gave Southern Illinois University (26-17, 12-12 MVC) a 3-2 win over Murray State University (16-23, 7-5 OVC) on Tuesday at Abe Martin Field. The win gives SIU a 2-0 season sweep over Murray State.
"It wasn't a pretty win, but we played good defense and pitched well. We didn't swing the bats well, but we found a way to score when we needed it. Toby Barnett is a great example of not giving up. His previous three at bats weren't good (two strikeouts, ground out), but that goes to show you what happens when you stay after it. I'm proud of our guys for hanging in there," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach.
SIU entered the bottom of the eighth inning with just two hits off MSU's Bart Peach and in a 2-2 tie. With two outs, Jeff Stanek singled to left field and Barnett followed with a double to the gap in right-centerfield to score Stanek with the game-winning run. Barnett's double was the hardest hit ball of the day for SIU.
"I wasn't happy with my previous at bats and was looking for him to throw me something off speed and away so I just went with the pitch and drove it to rightfield. It was a big at bat, but Jeff Stanek did a good job to get on with two outs so I could drive him in," stated Barnett.
Bill Clayton started his third straight midweek game and pitched a career-high seven innings before leaving with the game tied at 2-2. Freshman Bryan Rueger (1-1) picked up his first college win with one and a third innings of two-strikeout, three hit relief. Fellow frosh Andrew Weber closed the game by forcing a flyout and a groundout for his first college save after entering with runners on second and third and one out in the top of the ninth inning.
"Byran Rueger picked up his first college win and Andrew Weber grabbed his first college save. Bill Clayton had his best command all year and he pitched well enough to win. He started the last three midweek games and we've won them all. This was his longest outing and he controled his off-speed pitches better than I've seen in a while," added Dan Callahan. "(MSU's) Bart Peach pitched a very good game against us and we didn't figure him out until the end."
MSU's Peach (0-3) suffered the loss despite allowing just four hits, striking out six and walking three in seven and two thirds innings.
SIU scored single runs in the first and fourth innings without an RBI. Cory Newman led off the first inning with a walk, stole second base, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch. In the fourth, Justin Maurath was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a double by P.J. Finigan and scored on a wild throw on a pick off attempt by Peach for a 2-0 lead. MSU scored both runs on a two-RBI double in the sixth inning by Ronnie Seets to tie the game at 2-2.
Greg Andrews (1-for-2) Stanek (1-for-3, run), Finigan (1-for-3, double) and Barnett (1-for-2, double, game-winning RBI) collected the four SIU hits.
The Salukis will travel to Champaign on Wednesday to face the University of Illinois at 6:30 p.m. at Illinois Field.
