Salukis fall to Western Kentucky, 11-6, in series finale

Sunday, March 1

Bowling Green, Ky.

12:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

1-10

Western Kentucky

5-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	0	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	6	10	2
Western Kentucky	0	7	3	0	0	0	0	1	X	11	15	5

03/01/2015 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

March 1, 2015

Box Score

By Rico Cruz
SIUSalukis.com

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - An early 2-0 lead for Southern Illinois was not enough Sunday afternoon, as Western Kentucky scored 10 runs in the first three innings to earn an 11-6 win and series sweep.

SIU (1-10) got on the scoreboard with a pair of runs in the second inning. After a single by Jake Hand and a double from Logan Blackfan gave the Salukis two runners in scoring position, Hunter Anderson hit a double down the right field line to give Southern a 2-0 lead.

For the second-straight day, WKU (5-5) regained the lead with a big second inning. The Hilltoppers scored seven runs on seven hits to take a 7-2 lead after two innings.

"We have to be able to eliminate big innings," head coach Ken Henderson said. "That happened all weekend. I think that we gave up 21 runs in four innings. Other than that, I thought we did a good job."

Western extended its lead to 10-2 after adding three more runs in the third inning.

Down but now out, the Salukis continued to battle back with their backs against the wall.

SIU trimmed the lead to 10-5 with a three-run fifth inning. Braden Mosley reached first base after earning a walk. Back-to-back errors by WKU's shortstop allowed the Salukis to score a run. Hand then loaded the bases with a single, bringing up Blackfan with a chance to cut the lead. The first baseman singled into left field to bring inanother run for the Salukis. After a WKU pitching change, Anderson stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and was hit by a pitch, scoring the third and final SIU runof the inning.

The Salukis missed a prime opportunity in the sixth inning to cut into the lead even more when they had another bases loaded opportunity, this time with two outs. After two walks and a single loaded the bases, Taylor Martin hit a ball to the first baseman for the third out of the inning.

SIU made one last push in the ninth inning to try and extend the game. Blackfan opened the frame with a walk. After two straight outs, Chase Slone beat out a throw from the shortstop and Blackfan was able to advance to third on an error. WKU's first baseman misplayed a ball hit by Dyllin Mucha on the next at-bat, allowing Blackfan to score. It would be the last Saluki run of the game, as a strikeout would end the contest.

The Salukis finished the game with 10 hits. Greg Lambert extended his hitting streak to seven games and has reached base safely in 11-straight games. Anderson led SIU with three RBIs.

"We were a much better offensive club than we were three days ago," Henderson said. "I am very proud of the way we competed offensively. We made huge strides and saw some good signs from the offense."

Southern will look to return to the win column this week with a four-game homestand, starting with a Tuesday afternoon game against Arkansas State and a three-game series against Northern Illinois beginning Friday.