Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Heads to Southeast Missouri State Wednesday
04/08/2003 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 8, 2003
Date:Wed., April 9
First Pitch: 3 p.m.
Ballpark:Capaha Field (2,000)
Location:Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Radio: KGIR-1220 AM
Rankings:Neither team is ranked
Series History
SIU leads its overall series against Southeast Missouri State, 35-18. SIU and SEMO last met on April 2, where the Indians posted a 7-5 win in Carbondale.
Let's Hope . . .
SIU can get a win Wednesday at Capaha Field. The Salukis, who have lost three straight games at SEMO, haven't beaten the Indians on their home diamond since 1999. That year, SIU won a 14-11 high-scoring affair to complete a two-game sweep of SEMO.
Losing Streak Ends at Three
Despite suffering losses in four of its last six games, SIU recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a 10-0 shutout over Illinois State (4/4). The Salukis, who won the series, 2-1, posted their second shutout of the season. SIU also blanked Murray State, 3-0, on March 19.
Series Finale Rained Out
SIU's series finale with Illinois State scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m., was cancelled due to inclement weather. Due to league rules, Sunday's contest will not be rescheduled.
Even Outside the Valley
SIU holds a 9-9 record against non-conference schools this season. In those 18 games, the Salukis have faced teams from six different leagues, including the TAAC, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Ohio Valley, Big Ten and Big 12.
SIU Posts Fifth Series Win
SIU won its series with Illinois State (4/4-5), 2-1, and as a result, posted its fifth win in a series of at least three games this season. The Salukis also registered series wins over Iowa (2-1), Centenary (2-1), Central Michigan (2-1) and Northern Iowa (4-0).
The Coaches
Dan Callahan (Quincy College, '81; SIU, '87) is 211-254 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, Mark Hogan (SEMO, '77) is 261-193-1 in his ninth year at the Indian helm. Under Hogan, the Indians have reached the OVC Championship title game in five of his previous eight years.
It's Gotta End Sometime
SIU will enter Wednesday's matchup at SEMO, looking to snap the Indians' current 10-game winning streak. If the Salukis are successful in doing so, it will mark the second time this season that SIU has spoiled an opponents' winning streak of 10 or more games. The Dawgs also broke up Indiana State's blistering 13-game stretch on March 28.
About the Salukis
SIU enters Wednesday's matchup after posting a 2-1 series win over Illinois State (4/4-5). The Salukis, who have been striking out 6.2 times a game, whiffed on just three occasions in their last two contests. Prior to those two outings, SIU had struck out 10 times in back-to-back games vs. Southeast Missouri State (4/2) and Illinois State (4/4). Although first baseman Josh Markle leads all Salukis at the plate hitting .359 on the year, it has been catcher Toby Barnett who has been red-hot as of late. Barnett, who currently holds a 16-game hitting streak, boasts a .340 batting average. In addition, he leads the Dawgs in home runs (5) and RBI (22), while tying for second in doubles (6).
About the Indians
SEMO will look to extend its 10-game winning Wednesday when SIU visits Cape Girardeau. The Indians, who opened Ohio Valley Conference play last weekend, are coming off a pair of wins over Tennessee Tech. Hitting .292 as a team, SEMO is led by Justin Christian who holds a .333 clip with 19 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 17 RBI. He is joined by Brian Hopkins who also sports a .333 batting average.
Andrews Heats Up
Junior second baseman Greg Andrews has been swinging a hot bat as of late. A native of Peoria, Ill., Andrews hit .455 in four games for the Salukis last week. Reaching base in five of his 11 at-bats, Andrews registered six runs scored, three RBI, a double and a home run. His two-run blast, which was part of a four-run, third inning against Illinois State (4/5), marked his fourth of the season. Hitting .276 on the year, Andrews now ranks tied for second on the team with four home runs.
Sweet Sixteen
2003 Rotary Smith and Johnny Bench Award candidate Toby Barnett extended his hitting streak to 16 games after posting two hits in three of SIU's four contests last week. Barnett hit .466 (7-for-15) with five runs scored, two doubles, a home run and five RBI on the week. His solo home run, which came in the bottom of the ninth against Southeast Missouri State (4/2), marked his team-leading fifth of the season. Sporting a third-best .340 average at the plate, Barnett leads the Salukis in home runs (5) and RBI (22), while tying for first in doubles (6) and total bases (53). Additionally, his hitting streak began at Oklahoma on March 12.
Boldt Comes Through
Junior third baseman Nathan Boldt hit a three-RBI bases clearing double in the bottom of the fourth to key SIU's 10-0 shutout over Illinois State (4/4). SIU, who was averaging 6.5 strikeouts to go along with nearly five runs per game, was hitting just .211 in bases loaded situations before Friday's series opener. In fact, the Dawgs had left the bases loaded with one out in three of their last four outings prior to Boldt's clutch hit. The native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., is now hitting .263 with 16 runs scored, six doubles and 12 RBI.
Rueger Rolls
Sophomore left-hander Bryan Rueger pitched a complete game for the first time in his career to lead SIU to a 5-1 win over Illinois State (4/5). Rueger held ISU scoreless in six of his seven innings pitched, while allowing four hits and striking out three. The native of Mt. Vernon, Ind., also moved to a perfect 3-0 this season, as he boasts a team-best 1.32 ERA.
Alley Assault Continues
Jake Alley pitched a complete game, seven-inning shutout in a 10-0 pounding of Illinois State (4/4). For Alley, the shutout marked the third of his career, as he struck out five batters, issued three walks and scattered six hits during that span. Posting his second straight complete game win, Alley's five strikeouts also added to a team-leading 27 Ks this season. Additionally, those 27 whiffs pushed his career total to 239 moving him to fourth on SIU's all-time career strikeout list.
Keep it Up Frisella
Senior right fielder Sal Frisella ranks tied atop the Salukis with 10 multiple-hit games this season. The team's second-leading threat at the plate hitting .350, Frisella ranks first in several other offensive categories, including runs scored (24), hits (35), total bases (53), walks (17), on-base percentage (.460) and stolen bases (5).
Awesome at the "Abe"
SIU has been tough to beat at Abe Martin Field, where it currently holds a 11-4 record. Starting at a perfect 5-0 at home against league foes, the Salukis suffered their first loss to a MVC opponent Saturday against Illinois State. Despite the loss, SIU began its 2003 campaign with a 9-2 mark at home for the first time since 1990.
Brooms for Sale
So far this season, there have been four series sweeps in three weeks of MVC play. Wichita State's sweep of Illinois State (3/28-30) stands as the most recent. Last year, a total of six series sweeps were recorded.
Last Time Against SEMO
Southern Illinois suffered its third straight loss Wednesday against Southeast Missouri State. Two big plays, including an unbelievable catch by Aaron Fangman in right field and a home run by Denver Stucky, highlighted the 7-5 win for the Indians. Fangman's grab appeared to save at least three runs, as SIU had the bases loaded with two out when he made a diving over-the-shoulder snow cone grab after having his back turned to home plate.
On Deck
SIU will resume conference play this weekend when it travels to Peoria to face Bradley in a four-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m.
