Baseball Beats SE Missouri State, 6-5

Tuesday, March 23

Carbondale, Ill.

2:00 P.M.

Southern Illinois University

4-13

Southeast Missouri

8-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
SE Missouri State	2	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	0	5	14	3
Southern Illinois	0	2	1	0	1	0	0	2	X	6	10	0

03/23/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

March 23, 2004

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Nathan Emrick went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, Tyler Schooley delivered a pinch-hit game-tying single and all but one of the Salukis' runs were scored on a wild pitch or an error, as Southern Illinois (4-13) defeated Southeast Missouri State (8-10), 6-5, earlier today at Abe Martin Field.

In its final tune-up before Missouri Valley Conference play opens this weekend, SIU overcame an early three-run deficit to post its fourth win in its last five games.

Right-hander Jerel Deitering was shaky from the start, and as a result, walked two of SEMO's first three batters of the game. One of those bases on balls was to lead off man Eric Horstman, who stole two bases to get to third, and scored on a single by Freddy Lopez. Frankie Montiel drew the other walk and eventually scored on a base knock by Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, Gary Gilbert, to give the Indians a 2-0 lead.

The Tribe added another run in the top of the second, where nine-hole hitter Andres Fernandez hit a one-out single to left, went to second on a passed ball, advanced to third on a single by Ernie Bracamonte and scored on a sacrifice fly by Montiel.

SIU pulled to within one run in the bottom of the second, but not without a little help from the Indians' pitching and defense.

This week's MVC Player of the Week, Greg Andrews, drew a lead off walk and advanced to second on a one-out single by Nick Baughman. Andrews then moved to third on a Stan Skakalski wild pitch and scored on an error by shortstop Bracamonte. Skakalski's wild pitch was one of two in the inning, as his second toss enabled Baughman to score from third, and narrow SEMO's lead to 3-2.

Deitering, who lasted two innings, was replaced by P.J. Finigan in the third, where SEMO used three hits to push its lead to 4-2.

Bryan Kurt led things off with a double to left center. Kurt then moved to second on an ensuing infield single by Gilbert. Two batters later, Fernandez drove home Kurt on a two-out single to left center.

Like Kurt, Emrick also doubled to lead off his team's at-bat in the third. After an Erik Alvarez one-out single moved him to third, Emrick came home on another Bracamonte error to narrow the gap to 4-3.

The see-saw battle continued in the fifth, where SEMO used three consecutive hits to up its lead to 5-3. Kurt, who hit safely to lead off an inning for the second time in the game, singled to left to ignite the string of hits.

Trailing 5-4 after another SEMO wild pitch allowed Emrick to score in the fifth, SIU would rally in the eighth.

Matt Brewer drew a one-out walk and went to second on an ensuing single by Nathan Boldt. Pinch-hitter Schooley then dug in and roped a game-tying single to right. Moments later, a third error by Bracamonte enabled Boldt to score what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Right-hander Jason Chavez (1-1) picked up his first win as a Saluki against the school from his hometown. A native of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Chavez struck out one batter in two scoreless innings en route to the relief win.

Andrew Weber closed things out by striking out the SEMO side to pick up his first save of the season. Two of Weber's three strikeouts were caught looking.

Emrick's game-high three hits added to a team-leading 27 on the season, as he extended his hitting streak to nine games. A native of Griggsville, Ill., Emrick has now registered multiple-hits in six of his last nine outings.

Alvarez and Kevin Koski followed with two hits each, while Baughman, Boldt and Schooley added one apiece to round out the 10-hit attack.

SIU returns to action on Mar. 27-28, where it hosts Bradley to open league play. The Salukis and Braves will play noon doubleheaders on both of those days.