Baseball drops series-opener to Missouri State, 5-2

Friday, March 28

Springfield, Mo.

12:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

12-9, 2-2

Missouri State

16-6, 3-1

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

03/28/2008 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

March 28, 2008

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Right-hander Tim Clubb allowed only one run and struck out nine in eight innings to lead Missouri State University (16-6, 3-1) to a 5-2 win over Southern Illinois (12-9, 2-2) earlier today at Hammons Field.

Clubb had his way with the Dawgs. He recorded all but four of his strikeouts in the first three innings, fanning two in the first and second. He also retired 10 of the first 13 hitters he faced and sat down SIU in order twice.

While Clubb set the tone early, the Valley's top offensive team gave him an early lead.

The Bears were on the scoreboard just three hitters into the game. Chris Playter drew a leadoff walk and went to second on a passed ball. Playter advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Nolan Keane. Keane, after going to second on a wild pitch, touched home on a two-out single by Ben Carlson to give MSU a 2-0 lead.

MSU added two more runs in the second. Josh Mazzola led off with a solo home run to left. Playter kept the inning alive when he reached on a two-out error. The miscue came back to burn the Salukis, as Playter stole second and scored on an ensuing single by Ben Woodbury, giving the Bears a 4-0 advantage.

SIU sliced MSU's lead to three when Bret Maugeri homered with one out in the fourth. The home run was the third of Maugeri's career and first since the 2006 season.

The Salukis would remain within striking distance, but couldn't capitalize against Clubb.

As a result, SIU left two runners in scoring position, including one at third in the fifth and one at second in the eighth.

The Salukis then posed their biggest threat against MSU reliever Matt Frevert when they loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. However, SIU only came away with one run to narrow the gap to 5-2. SIU is hitting .220 (9-for-41) with the bases loaded this season.

Clubb remained undefeated, improving to 4-0 on the year.

Cody Adams (2-2) suffered the loss for SIU. Adams gave up seven hits, allowed four runs, walked two and struck out four in seven innings. Adams tossed five-straight scoreless innings after the Bears scored in the first and second.

Adams (119) and Clubb (114) each threw over 100 pitches on the day.

Offensively, SIU had seven hits and struck out a season-high 10 times. Aaron Roberts was most productive, going 3-for-4. Scott Elmendorf (3) and Mark Kelly (3) accounted for six of the Salukis' strikeouts.

All but one starter had a hit for MSU.

SIU and MSU resume their series Saturday at 5 p.m., CST. Left-hander Shawn Joy (2-2) will start on the mound.