Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis continue homestand with three-game series against Memphis
03/23/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
| Memphis (8-12, 0-0 AAC) at Southern Illinois (12-7-1, 0-0 MVC) | |
| Date | Thursday, March 24 - Saturday, March 26 |
| Time | Thursday - 6:30 p.m. Friday - 6:30 p.m. Saturday - 2 p.m. |
| Location | Itchy Jones Stadium - Carbondale, Ill. |
| Probables | Thurs. - LHP Joey Marciano (SIU) vs. RHP Colton Hathcock (UM) Fri. - RHP Chad Whitmer (SIU) vs. RHP Connor Alexander (UM) Sat. - RHP Michael Baird (SIU) vs. RHP Matt Ferguson (UM) |
| Video | Thursday Friday Saturday |
| Radio | Thursday - WVZA 105.1 Friday - WVZA 105.1 Saturday -WFRX 1300-AM |
| Audio | SIUSalukis.com |
| Game Notes | Southern Illinois |
| Live Stats | |
| 2016 Season Stats | Southern Illinois |
| Social Media | @SIU_Baseball |Saluki Athletics |
DUE UP
The Salukis continue their homestand with a three- game series against Memphis starting on Thursday.
THURSDAY'S STARTER
Joey Marciano will be on the mound for the Salukis against Memphis in the series opener on Thursday. The LHP enters the weekend holding a 2-1 record and an ERA of 1.76 with 123 strikeouts. In his last start, Marciano pitched eight scoreless innings against Northern Illinois with four strikeouts.
FRIDAY'S STARTER
Chad Whitmer gets the start for Southern on Friday against the Tigers. Whitmer is 1-0 this season with an ERA of 2.61 and a team-high 27 strikeouts. His last outing saw the RHP throw six innings against Illinois, allowing two runs on three hits.
SATURDAY'S STARTER
Michael Baird gets the starting nod against the Tigers in the series finale. Baird turned in his best performance as a Saluki in his last start, nearly throwing a no-hitter against the Illini in a 1-0 win. The sophomore is 3-1 this season with an ERA of 1.30 and 26 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE SALUKIS
Southern enters the series with the Tigers fresh off of a 3-1 weekend, which saw the Salukis earn wins over Northern Illinois and Illinois(2). The SIU offense is currently batting .250 on the year. Greg Lambert leads the team in batting average (.313) and hits (25). After a three-run home run against NIU, Logan Blackfan has a team-high 14 RBIs. Another strong showing by the Saluki pitchers saw the staff lower their ERA to 2.69. With an ERA of 0.68, Ryan Netemeyer leads all pitchers who have pitched at least one inning. Chad Whitmer leads the team with 27 strikeouts.
Michael Baird PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Michael Baird was three-outs away from a no- hitter, before Illinois hit a bloop single in the ninth inning on Sunday (Mar. 20). Baird bounced back to get three-straight outs to pitch the first complete game shutout since 2012. It was also the first time the Salukis held an opponent to one hit since 2008. Baird was rewarded for his performance by earning his first career MVC Pitcher of the Week honor.
NETEMEYER FOR THE SAVE
Sophomore RHP Ryan Netemeyer has been very strong as the closer for the Salukis. Netemeyer has converted all four of his save opportunities this season in nine appearances. He has allowed two run in 13.1 innings of work.
FREE TO STEAL
The Salukis continue to steal bases well, tallying 25 so far this season. Connor Kopach leads the team with six stolen bases, while Dyllin Mucha is a perfect 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts.
BEST ERA
The Saluki pitching staff has been phenomenal so far this season, ranking 24th in the nation and first in the MVC with an ERA of 2.69. In Southern's last five games, they have allowed two earned runs for an ERA of 0.38 in that span.
CAN'T TOUCH THIS
Opposing teams continue to produce hits against Saluki pitchers, hitting a paltry .215 this season. Southern has seven pitchers who are limiting hitters to under a .200 BA and have pitched in at least four games.
