Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Hosts Murray State Wednesday
03/18/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 18, 2003
Dawgs and Thoroughbreds
SIU holds a 32-8 advantage in its overall series against Murray State. Both teams were scheduled to meet earlier this year in Murray, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather. Needless to say, the Salukis have won their last three games over the Thoroughbreds, and two during 2002.
Variety is Good
SIU has played its share of teams from different conferences this season. With that being said, Murray State marks the sixth team from a different league the Dawgs will face in their non-conference slate. Murray State, a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, joins Centenary College (TAAC), South Florida (Conference USA), Northern Illinois/Central Michigan (Mid-American), Iowa (Big Ten) and Oklahoma (Big 12).
Last Time Out
SIU posted a 2-1 series win over Mid-American Conference foe Central Michigan last weekend. The series win marked SIU's third of the season, as the Dawgs swept Saturday's doubleheader by scores of 12-4 and 6-1, before losing Sunday's game, 9-2.
Hit Parade Coming Your Way
SIU's offense was nothing short of phenomenal Saturday in its doubleheader against Central Michigan. The Salukis registered a total of 30 hits in both games, including a season-high of 16 game one. SIU also belted seven extra-base hits.
Emrick Explodes
After going 0-for-5 in two games against Oklahoma last week, freshman designated hitter Nathan Emrick exploded for an impressive 7-for-11 (.636) outing in a doubleheader sweep of Central Michigan Saturday. A native of Griggsville, Ill., Emrick nearly hit for the cycle in game one against the Chippewas which saw him go 3-for-6 with two runs scored, four RBI, a double and a triple. He then followed up with a 4-for-5 showing in the nightcap where he doubled in two of his first three at-bats. Emrick had two RBI and two runs scored in that contest as well. After going 7-for-16 (.438) in the series, Emrick saw his batting average take a 108-point jump from .160 to .268.
Way to Go Weber
Right-hander Andrew Weber posted SIU's best pitching performance this season in game two of the Salukis' doubleheader against Central Michigan (3/15). Weber, who moved to 1-0 on the season, threw 5.0 scoreless, no-hit innings with three strikeouts. Despite giving up three walks, Weber also recorded 10 fly ball outs before being relieved in the sixth. Prior to Saturday, he had also struck out four batters in 3.2 innings during his second appearance of the season at Oklahoma (3/11).
Great Hitting, Good Pitching
Everything seemed to be clicking on all cylinders Saturday for SIU, who turned in its best offensive and pitching performance of the season. To complement the solid hitting, right-hander Andrew Weber and lefty Adam Snyder pitched a combined two-hit gem in the nightcap. Weber and Snyder's impressive effort fell just five outs shy of a combined, no-hit shutout.
Ten or More Hits a Game Pays Dividends
It has been proven early on this season that the SIU offense has the ability to strike at any time. And when it does, it can be dangerous. The Salukis are 6-1 this season when putting 10 or more pokes in the hit column. Registering 13 or more hits on four occasions this year, SIU currently holds a season-high of 16 which was done against Central Michigan on March 16. Hitting .276 after 16 games this season, the Salukis, however, aren't doing so well in games with less than 10 hits. In fact, SIU is just 2-7 in those contests.
Pitching Improving
The SIU pitching staff saw its ERA drop from 7.07 to 6.41 following its three-game series against Central Michigan (3/15-16). However, in their first 16 games this season, Saluki hurlers have been touched for 168 hits and 121 runs in 139 innings. Right-handers Ryan Welch (0-2) and Josh Joiner (1-2) have struggled the most early on, as each have allowed 21 or more runs on at least 17 hits over a minimum of 9.1 innings.
Markle Sparkles
Junior first baseman Josh Markle will look to extend his hitting streak to six games Wednesday against Murray State. Markle, a native of Longmont, Colo., is hitting a fourth-best .343 this season. Over the last five games, he has gone 6-for-13 (.462) with three doubles, four runs scored and two RBI.
Multiple-Hit Personalities
Senior right fielder Sal Frisella and sophomore shortstop P.J. Finigan currently lead the Salukis with six multiple-hit games this season. Frisella, a native of St. Louis, Mo., has posted two hits in all six of his outings. Meanwhile, Finigan, who hails from Springfield, Ill., has registered three hits in one game and two in five contests.
Frisella's Bat Heating Up
Sal Frisella, who is on a four-game hitting streak, has posted two hits in three of the Salukis' last four outings. Capping off his series against Central Michigan (3/15-16) with 2-for-3 and 2-for-4 performances, respectively, Frisella is now hitting a third-best .345 with a team-leading 19 hits. He also stands tied for first in home runs with two on the year.
Rook-Markable
Rookie left-hander Tyler Norrick won his first collegiate decision on the mound in game one of Saturday's doubleheader against Central Michigan. Norrick, in his second start of the season, struck out three batters and allowed six hits in five innings. Boasting a 3.00 ERA in four appearances this year, Norrick has fanned a total of seven batters in 12 innings.
The Coaches
Dan Callahan (Quincy College, '81; SIU, '87) is 202-250 in his ninth season as head coach of SIU. With over 14 years of Division I coaching experience, Callahan guided the Salukis (32-24) to their best season in over a decade in 2002. Most recently, however, Callahan recorded his 200th career win against Iowa on March 9. Meanwhile, Mike Thieke (Murray State, '74) is 214-269-2 in his 10th season as head coach of Murray State. Thieke will coach in his 500th career game on April 16 at Evansville and his 200th career OVC game on April 12 in the second game of a double-header at Eastern Illinois.
Did You Know . . .
That SIU is 3-1 against Murray State at Abe Martin Field? Winning three straight meetings against the Thoroughbreds on their home diamond, the Salukis haven't lost to MSU at The Abe in four years.
About the Salukis
SIU enters Wednesday's game with an even 8-8 record after its 2-1 series win over Central Michigan last weekend. Of those starting 10 or more games this season, Sal Frisella leads the Salukis at the plate hitting .345 with two doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and 11 home runs. Frisella, who is on a four-game hitting streak, is followed by Josh Markle. Markle, who has made 10 starts at first base, holds a .343 clip at the plate and is on a five-game hitting streak. He has also doubled in three of his last five outings. Freshman left-hander Adam Snyder remains atop the SIU pitching staff with a 2.25 ERA. Snyder, who is 1-0 in five appearances this season, saw his scoreless inning streak of five frames come to an end Saturday against Central Michigan. Snyder has also struck out seven batters.
Matchup Note
SIU has left a total of 128 runners on base in 16 games this season. Averaging eight runners stranded per game, the Dawgs have scored just 82 runs this season, while their opponents' have plated 121.
About the Thoroughbreds
Murray State heads into Wednesday's game coming off a 7-4 loss to Akron (3/16). The loss cooled off the Thoroughbreds who had won five of their last six games, including three straight. Standing at 8-7, MSU is led by sophomore outfielder Geoff Kirksey who hits .436 with eight runs scored, two doubles, a triple, a home run and 15 RBI. Senior infielder Brett McCutchan follows hitting .385 with 20 runs scored, six doubles, two homers and 15 RBI.
Matchup Note
In 10 or more starts this season, Murray State sports seven Thoroughbreds hitting .237 or better. Hitting .300 as a team, MSU is averaging nearly 10 (9.8) hits per game.
Go Ahead, I Dare You
Senior Toby Barnett has gunned down six runners trying to steal in 14 starts behind the plate this season. Barnett's total of six outs on the basepaths tied for first in the MVC thru games of March 9. Hitting .261 on the year, the Rotary Smith Award Candidate also slugged his second home run of the year Wednesday at Oklahoma. The homer was his first since the Salukis' season-opener at Centenary on Feb. 15.
The Chase is On
The patented senior tandem of Jake Alley (RHP, Anna, Ill.) and Sal Frisella (RF, St. Louis, Mo.) are currently climbing SIU's career record charts in strikeouts and home runs. Alley (1-1), who fanned one batter in his fourth start of the season at Oklahoma (3/12) ranks sixth in career strikeouts with 225 Ks. Meanwhile, Frisella, who delivered a two-out, two-run, game-winning walk-off smash against Iowa (3/9) lists eighth with 22 career dingers. Alley is chasing SIU's career strikeout leader Jason Frasor (278 Ks, 1996-99) and Frisella is targeting career home run record-holder Robert Jones (36 HR, 1983-86).
Up and Down
Senior centerfielder Ross Kowzan's hitting has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride this season. The team's leading hitter in 2002, Kowzan broke out of a 0-for-14 slump by going 5-for-6 in two games against Iowa on March 8. Then, he went 0-for-13 from Mar. 9-12, before stringing together a three-game hitting streak which stands to date. Hitting .281, Kowzan has gone 7-for-11 (.636) with two runs scored, a triple and a RBI in his last three games.
Comeback Kids
SIU's 4-2 win over Iowa (3/8) marked the fourth time this season the Salukis have come back to win a game after trailing by at least one run following the game's first three innings. SIU also fell behind early on to Centenary College (2/16), South Florida (2/22) and Northern Illinois (3/2) before rallying to post 12-9, 4-3 and 8-4 wins, respectively.
On Deck
SIU will open Missouri Valley Conference play at home this weekend when it hosts Northern Iowa in a four-game series beginning with a single game on Friday at 2 p.m.
