Baseball takes doubleheader from Evansville, 8-2, 7-2

Friday, May 16

Carbondale, Ill.

3:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

31-21, 11-12

Evansville

14-41, 4-19

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Evansville	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	2	11	1
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	4	X	7	9	1

05/16/2008 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

May 16, 2008

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University (31-21, 11-12) used a pair of big innings to sweep Evansville (14-41, 4-19) in a doubleheader earlier today at Abe Martin Field. The Salukis won 8-2 and 7-2.

SIU won a series against UE in Carbondale for the first time since 2002. The Salukis also posted their second-straight series win in Missouri Valley Conference play.

"It's always a good feeling anytime you can win a series in this league," said SIU head coach Dan Callahan. "We had two quality starts on the mound and got some timely hits. Overall, I was pleased with the way we played today."

SIU, which never trailed in 18 innings of baseball, erupted for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to key its win in the nightcap.

The Salukis and Purple Aces were deadlocked at 1-1 when left fielder Greg Wallace lost a fly ball in the sun with two outs in the seventh. The play was ruled a double for Owen Mackedon who knocked in Tyler Lairson for the go-ahead run. SIU scored once more in the inning on an ensuing single by Chris Murphy to take a two-run lead.

An inning later, SIU buried the Aces for good.

Adam Hills led off with a single and scored on an ensuing double by Mark Kelly. Kelly moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and Dean Cademartori walked. Bret Maugeri followed with a single and Kelly scored. Lairson then slugged a two-RBI double to left center to give the Dawgs a 7-1 cushion.

UE added one more run when Peter Tountas led off the ninth inning with a solo home run to center.

Lefthander Shawn Joy (6-2) allowed just two runs, walked none and struck out four in his second complete game of the year. Joy, who leads the Salukis with six wins, remained undefeated at 5-0 in conference play.

Zach Taylor (2-6) suffered the loss for UE. Taylor worked 6.2 innings, allowing five hits and three runs. He also struck out two and walked two.

In game one, Kelly and Scott Elmendorf each had four hits to lead SIU.

The Salukis held a two-run cushion (4-2) before batting around to plate four runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Kelly led off the inning with a single and quickly touched home on a double by Aaron Roberts. Two hitters later, Lairson reached on a two-out error and scored on a double by Mackedon. Chris Murphy walked on the next play, before Elmendorf singled home Mackedon to extend SIU's lead to 8-2.

Cody Adams (5-4) gave up two runs and struck out six in seven innings to get his second-straight win. Adams also recorded the 20th win of his SIU career.

Mark Oberchain (2-6) took the fall after giving up 11 hits and eight runs in 4.2 innings.

The Salukis have won three-straight games and 10 of their last 13.

SIU and UE wrap up their series at 1 p.m., CST, Saturday. The Salukis, who go for their first MVC sweep of the season, will start righthander Adam Curynski on the mound. SIU's seven seniors will be honored prior to the regular-season finale.