Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Baseball heads to Creighton this weekend
03/26/2009 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
March 26, 2009
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
Games 25-27
Southern Illinois (11-13, 3-0 MVC) at Creighton (8-14, 2-1 MVC)
Dates: Friday-Sunday, March 27-29
Location: Omaha, Neb.
Series Schedule: Fri. - 4 p.m.; Sat. - 2 p.m.; Sun. - 1 p.m., CT
Stadium: CU Sports Complex (1,000)
Head Coaches: SIU: Dan Callahan (401-403-1, 188-217-1 MVC/15th Year); CU: Ed Servais (204-113, 89-41 MVC/Sixth Year)
Radio: WVZA 92.7 FM (Friday). WFRX 1300 AM. Mike Reis (Play-by-Play)
Audio Webcast: www.siusalukis.com (Saluki All-Access)
Live Stats: www.siusalukis.com
Weather Forecast: Fri. - Partly Sunny, 40 degrees; Sat. - Partly Sunny 44 degrees; Sunny, 49 degrees
Probable Starting Pitchers
Friday - RHP Nathan Forer (0-3, 4.08 ERA)
Saturday - RHP Adam Curynski (1-1., 5.46 ERA)
Sunday - RHP Andrew Dunn (4-2, 2.79 ERA)
Salukis in Omaha
Southern Illinois University has posted just two series wins in seven trips to Omaha under head coach Dan Callahan. The Salukis swept the Bluejays in 1997 and won two of three in 2003. SIU has lost four of its last six games in Omaha, where it is 9-14 all-time with Callahan at the helm.
Close Call
Each of the last three games between SIU and CU were decided by one run. The Bluejays clinched a series win with a 9-8 victory (10 innings) in Carbondale last season. SIU, after salvaging a 5-4 win in that series finale, eliminated CU, 6-5, at the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Series History
SIU holds a 57-48 advantage in its all-time series against CU. Head coach Dan Callahan's teams are 28-24 versus the Jays. SIU has lost five of its last seven games against CU and has not won a series against the Bluejays since 2006 (2-1 in Carbondale).
Dawgs on a Four-Game Winning Streak
SIU enters the weekend on a season-best four-game winning streak. The Salukis opened Missouri Valley Conference play with a sweep of Northern Iowa (3/20-22) and beat Arkansas State (3/25). SIU has been on a winning streak of two or more games just twice this year.
Serritella and Bullock on Double-Digit Game Hitting Streaks
Freshman 1B/DH Chris Serritella and junior C/DH Tyler Bullock own double-digit game hitting streaks entering this weekend's series at Creighton. Serritella, who leads the team with a .403 batting average, is on an 11-game hitting streak. Bullock has hit safely in 10-straight games. Serritella ranks third in the MVC in batting average.
George One Save Away from Breaking SIU's Career Record
Saluki preseason all-MVC closer Bryant George went 1-0 with two saves in SIU's series against Northern Iowa (3/20-22). George saved each of the last two games of that series, and as a result, tied SIU's all-time career saves record. He has 19 career saves, including a league-high four this year. George will break the record with one save against the Bluejays this weekend.
