Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
South Florida
Baseball Falls to South Florida, 9-1
02/21/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 21, 2003
Tampa, Fla. - Myron Leslie and Jeff Baisley each had two hits, including one double apiece to lead South Florida (5-1) to a 9-1 win over Southern Illinois (2-2) earlier tonight at Red McEwen Field.
Leslie and Baisley led an efficient USF offense which plated nine runs on 11 hits and just one Saluki error. The Bulls also had a solid pitching performance from right-hander David Austen, this week's Conference-USA Pitcher of the Week.
Austen no-hit the Salukis in three of his five innings pitched and scattered just two hits over that span. He also struck out four of his 20 batters faced en route to moving to 2-0 on the year.
Although Austen was having early success on the mound, so was Jerel Deitering (1-1) who allowed one hit in his first three innings.
Down 1-0 after three, Deitering would struggle in the bottom of the fourth which saw the Bulls score four runs on three hits.
Leslie doubled to right center to lead off the rally. A Baisley walk moved Leslie to second before Devin Ivany was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Designated hitter Kris Howell continued the surge with a two-RBI single to left. Backup first baseman Brian Baisley then grounded out to first, but Ivany scored. Another double, this time by Travis Brown, rounded off the attack which gave USF a 5-0 lead.
Deitering was replaced with Ryan Welch who would allow three runs over the next two innings.
A lead off solo blast over the left field wall by Bryan Hierlmeier added to the Bulls' lead in the bottom half of the fifth.
Up 6-0, the Bulls' offense continued to wear down the Saluki pitchers. Left-hander Tyler Norrick, who entered the game in the seventh with J. Baisley on second after having smacked a two-RBI double, was immediately tagged for a single by Ivany. Pinch-hitter Scott Rachlin followed with a grounder to deep short. After P.J. Finigan made a spectacular snag off the turf, his throw to first was just a bit too late. Rachlin's hit scored J. Baisley to make it 9-0, USF.
SIU would avert the shutout in the top of the eighth. Local DuQuoin, Ill., native Ross Kowzan led off with a double to left. After advancing to third on a Cory Newman grounder to short, Kowzan scored the Dawgs' only run when Finigan grounded out to third.
The Saluki offense accounted for eight hits led by Josh Markle's two pokes. Six other Salukis posted one hit apiece, including Sal Frisella, Toby Barnett, Andrews, Nathan Emrick, Matt Brewer and Kowzan.
SIU left eight runners on base and there were a surprising seven double plays turned in the game between the two teams.
The Saluki defense regrouped to commit just one error after recording nine in its first three games this season.
SIU will continue its three-game series at USF on Saturday, Feb. 22. Due to the possibility of bad weather conditions, the start time for Saturday's game was moved from noon, CST, to 11 a.m., CST. Senior right-hander Jake Alley will make his first start for the Dawgs this season.
