Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball visits Middle Tennessee State this week
03/16/2009 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 16, 2009
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Games 19-20
Southern Illinois University (6-12) at Middle Tennessee State (13-2)
Dates: Tuesday-Wednesday, March 17-18
Location: Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Series Schedule: Tue. - 3 p.m.; Wed. - 3 p.m., CT
Stadium: Reese Smith Field (2,100)
Head Coaches: SIU: Dan Callahan (396-402-1/15th Year); MTSU: Steve Peterson (676-533-3/22nd Year)
Radio: WFRX 1300 AM. Mike Reis (Play-by-Play)
Audio Webcast: www.siusalukis.com (Saluki All-Access)
Live Stats: www.siusalukis.com
Weather Forecast: Tue. - Sunny, 73 degrees; Wed. - Sunny, 74 degrees
Probable Starting Pitchers
Tuesday - LHP Jimmy Cornell (0-1, 5.79 ERA)
Wednesday - RHP Brian Pullyblank (0-0, 9.00 ERA)
In Series Play
Southern Illinois University is 0-2-1 in series play this season. The Salukis dropped two of three games against both Northern Illinois (Mar. 6-8) and North Dakota (Mar. 13-15), and split a pair of games with Ball State (Mar. 10-11).
Salukis Wrap up 10-Game Homestand
The Salukis, who wrapped up a 10-game homestand against North Dakota last weekend, play on the road for the first time since March 1. SIU (0-3) is currently one of two teams in the Missouri Valley Conference without a win on the road this year. Creighton (0-8) is the other.
Dawgs Look to Get Back on Track
SIU, which went 4-6 in 10 home games over the last two weeks, sits at 6-12 overall this season. The Salukis have lost six of their last nine and have a losing record through their first 18 games of a season for the first time in five years. SIU was 5-13 in its first 18 games of the 2004 campaign.
About the Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee State enters the week on a six-game winning streak. The Blue Raiders, who are 13-2 on the year, put up 34 runs in their series-sweep of Arkansas State last weekend. MTSU, which boasts a 10-1 record at home, is hitting .347 with a Sun Belt Conference-best 26 home runs through 15 games. The Blue Raiders are also second in the conference with a 4.02 ERA. Drew Robertson is currently the Sun Belt's top hitter. Robertson is hitting a scorching .527 with 15 runs, eight doubles, a home run and 12 RBI.
Salukis Open Conference Play this Weekend
Middle Tennessee State marks SIU's final tune-up before Missouri Valley Conference play. The Salukis start their 24-game league slate at home against Northern Iowa. SIU and UNI will open a three-game series Friday at 3 p.m., CT.
