Southern Illinois University
19-12, 5-3
Bradley
17-9, 4-4
Baseball Beats Bradley, 2-1
04/09/2005 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
April 9, 2005
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
PEORIA, Ill. -P.J. Finigan allowed one run and struck out eight in the first complete nine-inning game of his career to lead Southern Illinois (19-12, 5-3) to a 2-1 win over Bradley (17-9, 4-4) earlier today at O'Brien Field.
In the first time hitting and pitching in the lineup since his senior year of high school, Finigan sat the Braves down in order in each of the first, third and fourth innings en route to his complete game gem.
SIU gave Finigan a two-run lead in the top of the sixth, where it executed a double steal to snap a five-inning scoreless drought by both teams.
Kevin Koski led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nathan Emrick. Chris McCulloch then grounded out to second, and Koski advanced to third.
Shortly after Matt Brewer walked to give SIU runners on the corners, Koski and Brewer attempted to steal, and the move paid off.
As soon as each runner broke, BU catcher Brad Canada threw down to second baseman Ryan Curry. Curry caught the ball on the grass of the infield and threw to the plate. His throw, however, hit the dirt and scooted past Canada, as Koski scored on a head first slide.
Brewer, who also went to third on the error, touched home on Finigan's ensuing triple to polish off SIU's only two runs of the game.
BU made a big threat in the ninth, but two excellent defensive plays, and a strikeout by Finigan sealed the win for the Dawgs.
Paul Rice led off with a single and went to third on a hit to right by Canada. Canada, who tried to stretch his single into a double was gunned down at second on a nice throw by Brewer.
After Rice pulled BU to within a run on a wild pitch, the Braves still had runners on the corners with one out.
But, Curry fouled off a bunt in what appeared to be a squeeze attempt, and Saluki catcher Hunter Harrigan made a diving catch on the play. Finigan then struck out Adam Uscicki to end the game.
Offensively, SIU was led by Koski, who went 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Curry did the same to top the Braves.
Finigan, who upped his record to 4-2 on the year, also gave up six hits and issued three walks in his masterpiece.
Left-hander Derek Goins (2-4) suffered the loss after striking out three, scattering six hits and allowing two runs in eight frames.
Both teams also matched their hit totals and number of runners left on base in Friday's opener.
BU and SIU had seven hits apiece, while the Salukis left nine men on and the Braves stranded seven in each of the two games.
SIU and BU conclude their series tomorrow at 1 p.m. Bryan Rueger (4-2) will pitch for the Dawgs.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Finigan, P.J. (4-2)
L: Derek Goins (2-4)
Batting:
2B: Harrigan, Hunter 1 ; Cademartori, Dean 1
3B: Finigan, P.J. 1
RBI: Finigan, P.J. 1
SH: Emrick, Nathan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Koski, Kevin 1 ; Brewer, Matt 1
SB: Koski, Kevin 1 ; Brewer, Matt 1
CS: Emrick, Nathan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Paul Rice 1
SB: Adam Uscicki 1
