Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Heads to Vanderbilt This Weekend
02/19/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 19, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (0-3) visits Southeastern Conference power Vanderbilt (0-0) for a three-game series beginning Friday at 4 p.m., CST. The Dawgs and Commodores also play at 2 p.m., Saturday and 1 p.m., Sunday.
The Salukis, who were swept by No. 16 Florida Atlantic on Feb. 13-15, look to get back on track against the Commodores this weekend.
"As far as our trip to Florida, there were several facets of the game I was pleased with, but for the most part, we didn't play well," said head coach Dan Callahan. "To be more specific, some things we need to improve on in order to be successful this weekend are starting pitching and infield defense. We also need to cut down on our strikeouts."
SIU, who didn't have a starting pitcher make it past three innings, committed nine errors in the infield and struck out 29 times at the plate in three games against the Owls, sets to face a loaded Vanderbilt pitching staff this weekend.
Friday, the Salukis will face one of the nation's top left-handers in junior Jeremy Sowers. A native of Louisville, Ky., Sowers was named first-team all-SEC and the league's Most Outstanding Player prior to this season. In addition, he was selected a first-team All-American by Baseball America and was voted one of the best 12 pro prospects in the SEC (2004 draft eligible players only).
While Vanderbilt's Saturday starter is to be announced, sophomore left-hander Ryan Mullins will pitch Sunday. Mullins, who was named preseason honorable mention all-SEC, is projected to be one of the top pro prospects for the 2005 draft.
Additionally, the Commodores enter their 2004 campaign picked to finish third in the East Division of the SEC after going 27-28 en route to their first SEC Tournament appearance in seven years.
"Last year, Vanderbilt might have been one of the most improved teams in the country," said Callahan. "We're going to have our hands full, but I feel confident heading into this weekend, especially knowing we have three games under our belt."
Starting Pitchers
Friday - RHP Marshall Tucker (SIU) vs. LHP Jeremy Sowers (Vanderbilt)
Saturday - LHP Bryan Rueger (SIU) vs. TBA (Vanderbilt)
Sunday - RHP Ryan Davis (SIU) vs. LHP Ryan Mullins (Vanderbilt)
Other Series Notes
*SIU and Vanderbilt have met five times in the '70s prior to this weekend. The Salukis, who hold a 3-2 record in those contests, lost to the Commodores in both 1972 (2-1) and 1978 (6-5), and won in 1973 (4-2; 3-1) and 1977 (4-3).
*Sophomore Nathan Emrick, who hit a team-leading .417 (5-for-12) with two runs scored and two stolen bases, looks to keep his hitting streak alive this weekend. Emrick hit safely in all three games against Florida Atlantic, and as a result, extended his streak to 10 games. His hitting streak began on May 11, 2003, where he went a perfect 3-for-3 with one run scored against Wichita State.
*Derek Johnson, who enters his second season as Vanderbilt's pitching coach, played under SIU head coach Dan Callahan at Eastern Illinois in 1993. After transferring from Indiana University, he garnered all-Mid Continent Conference accolades for the Panthers that year. Following one season as pitching coach at his alma mater, he moved on to SIU to work in the same capacity for three seasons before accepting a coaching job at Stetson in 1997.
Live Stats
Live stats for all three games between SIU and Vanderbilt this weekend can be accessed at www.siusalukis.com. On the site's homepage, scroll down to the Live Coverage box located on the right-hand side. Then, click on the gametracker link for the game you wish to follow.
