Saluki rally falls short in 11-9 loss

Wednesday, April 22

Carbondale, Ill.

5:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

10-32

UT Martin

12-26

UT Martin

Southern Illinois

04/22/2015 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

April 22, 2015

Box Score

By Rico Cruz
SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois rallied back from a seven-run deficit but came up short in an 11-9 loss to UT-Martin Wednesday night at Itchy Jones Stadium. An early 9-2 deficit proved to too steep of a hill to overcome for the Salukis (10-32).

"I am unbelievably proud of how we competed the entire game and did not quit," said SIU head coach Ken Henderson. "I think that everyone in that dugout thought that we were going to win all the way up until that last out. I am proud of our effort but it was too big a hurdle."

SIU starter Austin McPheron (0-4) lasted just two innings against the Skyhawks (12-26), surrendering six runs on four hits and four walks in the loss.

Southern actually led, 2-1, after one inning. Singles by Chase Slone and Greg Lambert, followed by a Tyler Rolland walk loaded the bases for Nick Hutchins. The freshman catcher rewarded the Salukis with a two-run single up the middle.

UTM then put up five runs in the second inning and three in the third for a 9-2 lead. Nico Zych's grand slam in the second inning highlighted the UTM offensive outburst.

The Salukis slowly chipped away at the deficit. SIU scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to make it a 9-4 game. Will Farmer brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly, while Lambert drove in the other with a double into center field.

A run by UTM in the fifth inning was countered by an SIU run in the bottom of the inning. Blackfan hit his second double of the game and was brought in on a Sabo RBI single. The Salukis cut deeper into the lead in the sixth inning, after Parker Osborne blasted a two-run triple into right field to make it a 10-7 game. Southern picked up two more runs in the game, but the rally fell short, as a groundball out and a line drive out ended the bottom of the ninth.

Despite the loss, Henderson said the confidence of his team continues to rise.

"I told our guys that we are doing a lot of good things," said Henderson. "A month ago if we went down, 9-2, we would not have had a comeback and had a chance in that game. Anthony Shimkus and Jacob Williams did a good job for us to keep us in the game and only give up two runs in the last five innings. We have made huge strides in terms of confidence and believing that we can comeback and win."

SIU will return to MVC action this weekend with a three-game series against Dallas Baptist in Carbondale. Chad Whitmer will make his first career start in the series opener on Friday. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.