Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball hosts Murray State Wednesday
03/20/2007 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 20, 2007
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Date: Wednesday, Mar. 21, 2007
First Pitch: 2 p.m., CST
Site: Abe Martin Field (2,000)
Series History: SIU leads, 36-12
Head Coaches: SIU: Dan Callahan (337-351-1/13th Year).
MSU: Rob McDonald (63-120/4th Year).
Live Stats: www.siusalukis.com
Probable Pitching Matchup
Tyler Choate, RHP (SIU) vs. Drew Leeper, RHP (MSU)
Salukis 10-1 at Home
SIU is off to its best home start under head coach Dan Callahan. The Salukis, who are 10-1 at Abe Martin Field, look to extend a five-game winning streak on their home diamond. SIU's only home loss came in game three of the Northern Illinois series on Mar. 4. The Dawgs are 51-18 (.739) in Carbondale since 2005.
Keep it Going
SIU is 14-3 in its last 17 games. The Salukis, who are 15-6 overall, hold the second-most victories in the Missouri Valley Conference thus far. Wichita State's 16-5 record tops the Valley, while SIU, Evansville (14-7) and Creighton (12-7) round out the four teams with 10 or more wins.
Kelly is Streakin'
The MVC's leading hitter, Mark Kelly (.455), is on a 17-game hitting streak. Kelly, who hails from Hanover Park, Ill., has gone 35-for-74 (.473) with 13 runs scored, five doubles, a home run and 21 RBI since the Northwestern State game on Feb. 17. He registered multiple-hits in nine of his last 12 games, including six in a row from Mar. 7-17. Kevin Koski's 36-game hitting streak (Mar. 29, 2005 to Feb. 11, 2006) stands as the longest in school history.
Choate Gets Another Shot at the Thoroughbreds
Freshman right-hander Tyler Choate will make his second appearance against MSU this season. Choate was credited with the loss the last time he faced the 'Breds on Mar. 7. He entered the game in a save situation, but fell after giving up two runs and two hits (including a two-run triple in the bottom of the ninth) in one-third of an inning.
Scouting the Thoroughbreds
MSU, the last place team in the Ohio Valley Conference, is 3-14 on the year. The Thoroughbreds visit Carbondale after being outscored 32-6 (vs. Indiana State) in their last two games. MSU is hitting just .246 on the year. Pitching wise, the 'Breds have given up 151 earned runs in 141 innings. MSU looks to complete a two-game sweep of the Dawgs after coming back to win the first meeting, 9-8, in Murray.
