Baseball loses to Buffalo, 3-2

Wednesday, March 12

San Antonio, Texas

1:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

3-9

Buffalo

5-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Buffalo	0	0	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	0
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	2	9	1

03/12/2008 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

March 12, 2008

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The University of Buffalo (3-9) scored three unearned runs with two outs in the fourth inning to secure a 3-2 victory over Southern Illinois (5-6) earlier today at Nelson Wolff Stadium.

The game was scoreless until a throwing error by Saluki third baseman Lou Johanns let the Bulls' leadoff man on to start the fourth.

Following back-to-back outs, Buffalo made SIU pay, tagging starter Andrew Dunn for four-straight hits. Eric Flynn, Bobby Pizzuto and E.J. Folli all delivered clutch RBI-singles to give the Bulls a 3-0 lead.

Chris Murphy scored on Mark Kelly's two-out single in the fifth and Owen Mackedon singled and scored in the sixth, but it wasn't enough for the Dawgs.

SIU had plenty of scoring opportunities, but struggled to get runs in. As a result, it stranded 11 baserunners, marking the seventh time the Salukis left 10 or more on base this season.

Seven Salukis were left in scoring position, however, none more bigger than the one in the seventh. Scott Elmendorf hit a leadoff single and made it to third, but was stranded when Tyler Bullock lined to left to end the inning.

After that, SIU had a baserunner with two outs in both the eighth and ninth innings, but those never made it past first base.

Zach Anderson (2-2) went five innings, allowing seven hits and two runs to earn the win. Anderson also struck out four and walked four.

Steve Geltz was credited with his first save of the season, striking out three and giving up one hit in two scoreless innings. Geltz retired six of the eight Saluki hitters he faced.

Dunn (1-3) suffered the loss, giving up six hits and three runs, and striking out three.

Offensively, SIU outhit Buffalo, 9-7, with Elmendorf, Adam Hills and Aaron Roberts leading the way with two hits each. The Salukis established season-highs in stolen bases (3) and pickoffs (3), as well.

The Salukis dropped to 2-5 against Mid-American Conference opponents this season.

SIU returns to action Thursday against Prairie View A&M. First pitch is at 4 p.m., CST. Freshman left-hander Nick Rice (0-1) will make his first career start.