Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball splits doubleheader with Western Michigan, loses series
02/23/2008 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
Feb. 23, 2008
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CORDOVA, Tenn. - Southern Illinois University (1-2) split a doubleheader with Western Michigan (2-1) earlier today at First Tennessee Fields. The Salukis took game one, 7-6, in 10 innings and the Broncos won the nightcap, 5-4.
SIU fell behind, 4-1, but rallied to tie the game with three runs in the seventh. Adam Hills had a RBI-double and scored the tying run, while Mark Kelly added a run-scoring single and Scott Elmendorf knocked in a run on a sacrifice fly.
Deadlocked at 4-4, Derek Mosher delivered a two-out RBI-single off Saluki reliever Andrew Dunn to give the Broncos the lead in the top of the ninth.
SIU, despite getting a runner in scoring position, came away empty against WMU reliever Brian Schutzbach in the ninth. Schutzbach (1-0) allowed one hit and recorded a strikeout in 1.1 innings en route to his first win of the season.
Dunn (0-2) was credited with the loss after giving up three hits and a run in one inning of work.
In game one, freshman Chris Murphy scored the winning run on an error in the bottom of the 10th inning.
SIU, after leaving the bases loaded in the ninth, had runners at first and second with no outs in the 10th when Owen Mackedon laid down a bunt in front of the plate. WMU catcher Kevan Hess picked up the ball, but Zach Gentile couldn't handle the throw at first, allowing Murphy to score.
SIU saw a 6-0 lead disappear when WMU again took advantage of a rocky Saluki bullpen.
Freshman Nick Rice issued three walks, allowed a hit and gave up three runs in just one-third of an inning as the Broncos pulled to within a run (6-5) in the seventh.
Bryant George then plunked Chris Lewis to start the ninth. Lewis would later come around to score the tying run with the help of two singles and a sacrifice fly.
Ian Reinhart (1-0) came on to retire the Broncos in order in the 10th, before the Dawgs won the game on the error.
Tim Mowry (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up two hits and a run.
SIU (15) and WMU (14) pitchers combined to give up 29 walks on the day. Both teams issued nine walks apiece in game one.
Offensively, Hills and Kelly each had three hits on the day. Hills went 3-for-7 with three runs scored, a double, two walks and two RBI and Kelly went 3-for-9 with two runs, a double and three RBI. Murphy also had a big day, going 2-for-5 with three runs, three walks and one RBI.
Kyle Gendron went 4-for-7 with two runs scored, two doubles and two RBI.
SIU returns to action when it heads to Tennessee-Martin Wednesday.
Series Notes: SIU's bullpen gave up a total of 21 hits, 16 runs and nine walks in three games...Freshman Chris Murphy hit a team-high .444 on the series...He went 4-for-9 with three runs, three walks and three RBI...Adam Hills also hit over .400, registering a .417 clip with a series-high four runs and three doubles...SIU (29) and WMU (29) left a combined 58 runners on base...SIU was outscored a combined 20-5 in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth innings.
