Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball Hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee This Weekend
05/13/2004 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
May 13, 2004
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (20-27-1) returns to Abe Martin Field for its final home series of the season when it hosts the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (21-25) this weekend. Both teams play a three-game set beginning Friday at 3 p.m.
SIU and UWM meet for the first time this weekend. The two teams are also scheduled to play a three-game series in Carbondale a year from now.
SIU has won two straight games and enters the weekend coming off a 5-1 non-conference win over Saint Louis in Sauget on Wednesday. Left-hander Bryan Rueger (1-3) allowed just three hits and struck out two batters en route to posting his first win on the mound.
After opening its 2004 season at 0-12, SIU has since gone 20-15-1 in its last 36 games. The Dawgs have registered six wins in their last 10 games and look to remain hot as the season winds down. At this time last year, SIU used a win over Saint Louis to start a four-game winning streak, which ended up in a second-place finish at the MVC Tournament.
SIU's most versatile player, Nathan Emrick, is hitting a team-best .372 in 48 starts this season. Hitting safely in 70 of his 188 at-bats, Emrick also tops the Salukis in runs (33), hits (70) and stolen bases (15). Additionally, Emrick is on a three-game hitting streak and has collected multiple-hits in six of his last nine outings.
While Emrick continues to produce as the Dawgs' three-hole hitter, senior Greg Andrews and sophomore Matt Brewer provide the pop in the lineup. Between the two, Andrews (8) and Brewer (6) have joined forces for 14 of SIU's 25 home runs this season.
Pitching wise, SIU ranks fourth in the Valley with a 4.66 ERA. Right-hander Jason Chavez (3-4) leads the staff with a 2.22 ERA, while ace left-hander Eric Haberer (5-2) follows close behind with a 3.17 mark. Haberer leads the Dawgs in complete games (2), innings pitched (65.1), wins (5) and strikeouts (41). Haberer will start on the mound Friday.
Meanwhile, UWM has won seven of its last 11 games and comes to Carbondale after a four-game series split at Wright State (May 7-9). The Panthers are also fresh off a week's rest after having not played a mid-week game this past week.
UWM's defense has committed 90 errors on the season which equates to a .943 fielding percentage. Ranking last in the Horizon League in that category, the Panthers recently committed 11 errors in their series against Wright State. As a result of those miscues, the WSU offense scored 22 runs, only nine of which were earned. On the year, UWM has had streaks of 11 and 12 games with at least one error committed.
Two-way threat Ben Stanczyk (P/3B) leads the Panthers hitting .383 with 28 runs scored, nine doubles, a triple, seven home runs and 33 RBI in 42 games this season. In addition to his duties at third base, he is among UWM's starting pitching rotation. Stanczyk, who will open the series on the mound for the Panthers tomorrow, is 5-3 with a 3.79 ERA. He also struck out an impressive 79 batters to just 17 walks in 78.1 innings.
Prior to Saturday's game, seniors Nick Baughman, Andrews, Cory Newman, Jerel Deitering, Josh Joiner, Tyler Schooley, Josh Markle, Nathan Boldt and Marshall Tucker will be honored. The nine seniors suit up at home for the last time in their Saluki careers.
Play-by-play audio for all three games of this weekend's series between SIU and UWM will be available at www.siusalukis.com. Live stats for all three games can also be accessed at the Salukis' web site.
