Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Northern Iowa
Baseball Defeats Northern Iowa, 10-6, in MVC Opener
03/21/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 21, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Junior transfer Nathan Boldt snapped a four-game hitless streak by going 2-for-4 with a game-tying run scored and a go-ahead two-RBI single to lead Southern Illinois (10-8, 1-0) to a 10-6 win over Northern Iowa (7-8, 0-1) earlier today in both teams' league opener at Abe Martin Field.
Boldt was 0-for-14 in four games prior to today. A native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., he also joined four other Salukis who registered two or more hits.
SIU, who has won four of five games, including its last two straight, looked good in its MVC debut, as left-hander Bryan Rueger pitched 4.2 solid relief innings which complemented a balanced Saluki offensive attack.
Although the outfield area was soggy due to rain the night before, the field conditions didn't affect the wind, as three home runs between the two teams left the ballpark in the first inning.
With Jake Alley in his fourth start on the mound for the Salukis, Pat Moran was hit by a pitch with one out in the top of the first. With two away following a Tyson Hanish grounder to short, Adam Boeve smashed a two-run homer over the wall in center. Sean LaCoste and Armando Lara followed the bash with back-to-back doubles, and just like that, UNI took a 3-0 lead.
SIU answered quickly during its turn in the first with a one-out walk by P.J. Finigan, who scored on an ensuing home run by Greg Andrews. Andrews' homer, which marked his second of the season, also sailed over the centerfield fence. After Sal Frisella flied out, Toby Barnett stepped in and ripped Kory Kelchen's third delivery over the wall in left center to tie the game at 3-3.
Josh Markle posted SIU's third homer of the game with a solo shot to right field to give the Dawgs a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the second. Markle's round-tripper was his first as a Saluki.
Ahead by one, the Salukis added another run in the bottom of the third, as a Markle single drove in Frisella who was on second after having been hit by a pitch and advancing on a Barnett walk.
Holding a 5-3 lead, the Panthers scored three unearned runs to get back into the game, thanks to a Saluki defensive breakdown in the fourth.
Errors by shortstop Finigan and centerfielder Ross Kowzan, and a couple wild pitches from Alley, were the core of the minor setback which enabled UNI to pull ahead, 6-5. A one-out double by Joe Burgett would also account for two of the runs.
After throwing over 100 pitches in 4.1 innings, Alley was replaced by Rueger in the fifth. Rueger inherited Boeve who was on base after drawing a walk against the veteran starter. With Boeve on first, Rueger walked LaCoste to put runners on first and second. Boeve was then caught stealing for the first out in the inning.
On the next play, Rueger turned an outstanding double play off a comeback rocket by Lara to end the inning.
UNI's one-run lead would stand just a little longer heading into the bottom of the sixth which saw Boldt hit a one-out double before scoring the tying run on a single by Brendan Lutz.
Tied at 6-6, Boldt singled home two more runs in the bottom of the seventh and Nick Baughman drove in a pair of runs in the eighth to ice the 10-6 win. Baughman's RBIs were his first since his freshman year.
Rueger, who picked up his second career win, moved to 1-0 on the season. In 4.2 innings, he struck out three batters and gave up four walks, while allowing one hit.
Meanwhile, Alley lasted 4.1 innings in which he gave up five hits and six runs, three of which were unearned. He also struck out three batters.
Drew Wold (0-2) suffered the loss for the Panthers. Wold pitched 3.2 innings of relief which saw him give up seven hits and three runs to go along with four strikeouts. He replaced starter Kelchen who threw the game's first 2.1 innings, allowing three hits and striking out one. Spencer Black finished the game for UNI pitching the final two innings, where he was touched for three hits and two runs.
In addition to Boldt, Barnett, Lutz, Andrews and Markle had impressive days. Barnett went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and one RBI, while Lutz went a flawless 2-for-2 as well. Andrews and Markle followed posting two hits, including one home run and two RBI apiece.
The Panthers were led by Burgett who finished 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI.
SIU out-hit UNI 13-6 with four of those going for extra bases.
The Salukis and Panthers will continue their four-game series tomorrow in a doubleheader beginning at noon. The first game will go seven innings followed by a nine-inning nightcap.
