Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Illinois St.
Baseball Loses Finale 8-5, Splits Series With Illinois State
04/07/2002 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 7, 2002
Normal, Ill. - Southern Illinois University (17-11, 6-6 MVC) gave up seven first inning runs and never recovered in an 8-5 loss in the series finale to Illinois State University (8-17, 4-7 MVC) on Sunday at Redbird Field. SIU split its third straight MVC series with the loss.
"I'm disappointed that we didn't play better with a chance to win the series after taking the doubleheader on Saturday," said Dan Callahan, Saluki head coach. "Our top two pitchers (Luke Nelson and Jake Alley) have struggled the last two weeks and our young guys have kept us in the series. We really need to get on track with SMS coming up next weekend."
Senior Luke Nelson (2-3) allowed six runs on six hits in just two thirds of an inning to lose his second straight MVC game. SIU allowed seven total runs on seven hits and an error in the bottom of the first inning after opening the game with a run of its own in the top of the frame to take a 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Marshall Tucker came in for Nelson, didn't get an out and allowed a run before being pulled for senior Jason Westemeir. Westemeir came in to close the first inning and pitched the final 7 1/3 innings for the Salukis, allowing just one run, four hits, two walks and struck out four to keep SIU in the game.
The Salukis added single runs in the fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth innings and out hit the Redbirds 13 to 11, but couldn't tie the game in the eighth and ninth innings when they had the tying run at the plate .
ISU starter Kyle Zaleski (2-1) pitched 7 1/1 innings allowing four SIU runs and a walk and struck out four.
Jeff Stanek (3-for-5, RBI), P.J. Finigan (2-for-5, run), Scott Hankey (2-for-4, RBI, run) Cory Newman (2-for-4) and John Clem (1-for-3, RBI) carried the Saluki attack. Newman stretched his career-high hitting streak to 15 games during the series.
SIU will host Greenville (Ill.) College on Tuesday, April 9 at 3 p.m. before traveling to Ozark, Mo. for an MVC series with SMS April 12-14.
