Southern Illinois University
18-12, 4-3
Bradley
17-8, 4-3
Baseball Loses Heartbreaker to Bradley, 2-1
04/08/2005 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 8, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
PEORIA, Ill. - Andrew Weber's first pitch of an intentional walk sailed to the backstop and allowed Ryan Curry to score the winning run, as Bradley (17-8, 4-3) came back to beat Southern Illinois (18-12, 4-3), 2-1, earlier tonight in a wild game at O'Brien Field.
Trailing 1-0 after six innings, the Braves scored one run in each of the seventh and eighth to fuel their dramatic finish.
After Adam Uscicki drove in the tying run on a two-out single in the seventh, the often reliable Saluki bullpen fell apart in the eighth.
Left-hander Adam Snyder relieved Tyler Norrick, who posted a career-high 12 strikeouts, allowed five hits and gave up one run in a magnificent seven innings.
Snyder balked and gave up back-to-back infield singles, which gave the Braves runners at first and third with no outs.
Shortly after Paul Rice's bunt single, Weber entered the game and caught Brad Canada looking on strikes for the first out of the inning. Rice also stole second on the play.
With runners on second and third, the decision was made to intentionally walk pinch-hitter John Smith to load the bases and set up a potential double play situation.
Instead, Weber's first delivery got away from him, and Curry scored.
Offensively, both teams were held to a quiet seven hits thanks to an outstanding pitcher's duel between Norrick and BU right-hander Brandon Magee.
Magee (5-2), who began his outing by retiring seven Saluki hitters in a row, went the distance with nine strikeouts. He also threw 127 pitches.
The only run which kept Magee from a complete game shutout came in the fourth when Hunter Harrigan delivered a two-out RBI-single.
Meanwhile, Norrick had some control issues early on, but found his rhythm. A native of Festus, Mo., Norrick recorded half of his strikeouts in the middle innings. He struck out the BU side in the fourth, before fanning three more Braves in the sixth.
Unfortunately, Norrick's career night ended in a tough-luck no-decision, as he, too, threw over 100 (115) pitches.
Snyder (1-1) was credited with the loss, as Curry's go-ahead run ended a streak of 11 consecutive scoreless innings for the crafty left-hander out of Pittsburgh, Pa.
Additionally, SIU left nine runners on base, while BU stranded seven.
SIU and BU resume their series tomorrow at 1 p.m. Senior P.J. Finigan (3-2) will take the mound for the Dawgs.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Brandon Magee (5-2)
L: Snyder, Adam (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Brewer, Matt 1
RBI: Harrigan, Hunter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brewer, Matt 1
HBP: Alvarez, Erik 1
Batting:
RBI: Adam Uscicki 1
SH: Peter Malinowski 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ryan Curry 1 ; Joe Napoli 1
SB: Johnny Sage 1 ; Paul Rice 1
HBP: Jon Smith 1
PO: Johnny Sage 1
