Baseball Downs Creighton, 3-1, in Series Opener

May 2, 2003

Omaha, Neb. - Junior second baseman Greg Andrews nearly hit for the cycle, as he went 3-for-4 with a triple, a home run, two runs scored and one RBI to lead Southern Illinois (24-19, 15-9) to a 3-1 win over Creighton (16-28, 10-11) earlier today in both teams' series-opener at CU Sports Complex.

SIU recorded 11 hits on the day, which saw P.J. Finigan (2), Andrews (3), Nathan Boldt (2) and Nathan Emrick (2) combine for nine of those rips. Meanwhile, CU registered nine hits and left a stunning 16 runners on base.

Probably the main reason why the Bluejays had a tough time pushing runs across was due to the patented pitching tandem of Jake Alley and Tyler Norrick. Both appeared to locate all their clutch pitches at the times when they needed them most.

SIU took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Toby Barnett lifted a one-out sacrifice fly deep to center. Barnett, who recorded his team-leading 34th RBI of the season, plated Finigan who led off the frame with a single.

A lead off double by Dan Norquist helped CU tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. Norquist's hit, which found the gap in right center, was followed by a Zach Daeges single. Zach's brother, Matt Daeges, then hit into a fielder's choice and Norquist was tagged out at home by Barnett after a perfect throw from Andrews. Tony Daniel, however, was plunked on the next play, and shortly after that, Z. Daeges scored on a wild pitch.

In the top of the fourth, Andrews smacked a lead off triple and immediately scored the go-ahead run when Boldt grounded out to short.

Holding a one-run lead (2-1), Andrews blasted a solo home run over the left field wall to put the finishing touches on the Salukis' 3-1 win.

Before Andrews' huge hits, however, SIU pitching tempted fate many times. Alley walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the third, but was able to escape the jam. He then juiced the bags again in the bottom of the seventh, but got M. Daeges to ground out to quiet the rally. The Bluejays had one more bases loaded situation in the bottom of the eighth, but came up empty when Norrick caught clean-up hitter Ryan Fitzgerald looking on strikes for the third out.

Alley (6-2) struck out six, while giving up eight hits and issuing five walks in 7.2 innings of work. Norrick threw the final 1.1 innings en route to his first save of the season. Norrick gave up just one hit, while posting a pair of key strikeouts.

Tom Oldham went the distance for the 'Jays. In 9.0 innings, Oldham scattered 11 hits to go along with six strikeouts.

Offensively, Norquist went a perfect 3-for-3 to lead CU.

SIU and CU resume their series tomorrow with a noon doubleheader.