Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Hosts Murray State Wednesday
04/13/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 13, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (9-19-1) returns to non-conference action when it hosts Murray State (8-22) Wednesday at 3 p.m. Tomorrow's game marks SIU's third mid-week matchup this season, and first since Mar. 23.
SIU looks to get its second straight win before travelling to league-leading and No. 11 Wichita State this weekend. The Salukis recently defeated Evansville on Easter Sunday after Nick Baughman delivered a first-pitch, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth.
The Salukis take on MSU for the second time this season after last pounding the Thoroughbreds, 22-6, on Mar. 18. SIU posted a season-high 25 hits in that game and exploded for nine runs in the top of the fourth inning before running away with the win.
SIU is 4-13 against non-conference opponents this season and enters tomorrow's contest led by Nathan Emrick who is hitting .373 with 21 runs scored, five doubles and 14 RBI. He is followed by Baughman, who bumped his average up to .339 after hitting a blistering .571 in four games against Evansville (Apr. 9-11).
Pitching wise, the Dawgs have received solid relief work from right-hander Andrew Weber as of late. Weber (3-1) recently picked up his third win out of the bullpen after fanning two of the Purple Aces' last three batters of the game Sunday.
MSU, on the other hand, has lost six of its last seven games, including a 8-2 conference loss to Eastern Kentucky on Apr. 10. The 'Breds have committed 60 errors on the year and are hitting just .254. Clint Griggs is hitting a team-best .317 in 29 games played.
SIU has won five straight games against MSU, and holds a commanding 32-8 series lead. Under head coach Dan Callahan, the Dawgs have faced the Thoroughbreds 13 times and hold a 10-3 mark in those contests.
Live stats for Wednesday's game between SIU and MSU will be available at www.siusalukis.com.
