Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Oklahoma
Baseball Loses to No. 29 Oklahoma, 20-4
03/12/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 12, 2003
Norman, Okla. - No. 29 Oklahoma (10-3) registered a season-high 21 hits en route to a 20-4 win over Southern Illinois (6-7) earlier today at L. Dale Mitchell Park. The Sooners also tallied a total of 11 doubles and six home runs in their 2-0 series sweep of the Salukis.
It was another long day for SIU in Sooner Land as OU's patented foursome of Matt Arkison, Reggie Willits, Eddie Cornejo and Luke Alexander dominated the Dawgs' pitching.
After OU grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, a two-run homer by Toby Barnett quickly tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the second. For Barnett, the round-tripper marked his second of the season and first since the team's 2003 opener at Centenary (2/15).
SIU would take its only lead of the series in the top of the third when Josh Markle scored on an error by pitcher Charlie House. Markle, who had doubled prior to the miscue, gave the Salukis a 3-2 lead.
The one-run advantage, however, was short-lived as SIU fell victim to a five-run Sooner third. A three-run home run by Andrew McGuire highlighted the attack which saw OU deliver five hits.
Ahead 7-3, the Dawgs took advantage of two Sooner errors to score one more run in the top of the fourth. Sal Frisella reached on a double and scored on a muffed throw by House.
Trailing 7-4, it appeared as if SIU might score another run after it pulled off a double steal. Andrews went to third on the play, while Matt Brewer was thrown out at second. But Andrews was sent back to second on catcher's interference call by the home plate umpire. After head coach Dan Callahan argued the call, Tyler Schooley struck out to end the inning.
After scoring a total of four runs over the next four innings, the Sooners exploded for nine runs on seven hits in the bottom of the eighth. Pinch-hitters Denver Kitch and Scott Rooker ignited the rally as each drove in three runs apiece. Kitch ripped a double down the left field line, while Rooker slugged a three-run homer which easily cleared 411 feet to round off the 20-4 win.
OU's top half of the lineup haunted SIU once again as Arkison (leadoff), Willits (No. 2), Cornejo (No. 3) and Alexander (No. 4) combined to hit .600 (9-for-15) with two doubles and two RBI. Willits and Cornejo led the charge with three hits apiece. Spencer Wyman also homered for the Sooners along with Rooker and McGuire.
House improved to 1-2 on the season after striking out four in six innings. House also allowed four of the Salukis' eight hits.
Jake Alley suffered the loss for SIU and evened his record to 1-1 on the year. Alley lasted three innings in which he allowed seven hits, struck out one batter and was touched for seven runs. Eric Haberer, P.J. Finigan, Josh Joiner and Steve Quigley came out of the bullpen to pitch the remainder of the game.
Offensively, Barnett and Frisella led the Salukis with two hits apiece. Barnett went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and one runs scored, while Frisella went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.
SIU will return to Carbondale to begin a nine-game homestand beginning this weekend with a three-game series against Central Michigan. The Salukis and Chippewas will play a noon double-header Saturday and a noon single game on Sunday.
