Missed opportunities hurt SIU in 13-6 loss

Tuesday, February 23

Clarksville, Tenn.

1:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

1-3

Austin Peay

3-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	1	1	0	0	1	3	0	0	0	6	11	1
Austin Peay	4	1	0	2	3	2	0	1	X	13	16	0

02/23/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 23, 2016

Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Southern Illinois struck first, but were unable to get timely hits in a 13-6 loss to Austin Peay on Tuesday. The Salukis (1-3) stranded 12 runners on base in the loss.

"I saw better swings today and a more relaxed team," head coach Ken Henderson said. "It was a huge step for us offensively today, but we just have to do a better job with runners in scoring position. There was a four-inning stretch where we left nine guys on base, and you can't do that."

The offense started early for SIU in the first inning. Ryan Smith hit a double down the left field line for the first hit of the game. Jake Hand then singled into the outfield to score Smith and give Southern a 1-0 lead. But the Governors (3-1) scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a 4-1 lead.

The Salukis responded with a run in the second to get within 4-2. Taylor Martin singled through the left side and Ryan Sabo walked to put runners on first and second for Will Farmer. With a chance to get a run back, Farmer singled into left field to score Martin.

Greg Lambert sparked some offense in the fifth inning, hitting his first home run of the season to make it a 7-3 game. It was Lambert's third career home run. But every time SIU looked to get back into the game, the Governors responded, this time with three runs in the bottom of the fifth for a 10-3 lead.

SIU picked up steam in the sixth inning, plating three runs to make it a 10-6 ball game. After two quick outs, Logan Blackfan got on base with a single into right field. A walk to Lambert brought up Hunter Anderson with a pair of runners on. Anderson took a pitch deep into left centerfield for a three-run home run.

Just when it looked like SIU would claw back into the game, APSU responded with a pair of runs of their own, pushing the lead to 12-6. Southern would be held scoreless over the final three innings, and the Salukis could not keep pace with the Governors. The SIU offense had its best game of the year with 11 hits. Anderson led the way, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

"Hunter is a guy that we thought would hit very well for us," Henderson said. "He is a strong kid with a good swing. We just have to continue to find him opportunities. He took advantage of it today and hit some balls hard."

After finishing up a four-game road trip, the Salukis will open up play at Itchy Jones Stadium with a three-game series against Western Illinois. The first game of the series is set for Friday at 2 p.m.