Saluki Baseball drops series opener to Memphis, 7-4

Thursday, March 24

Carbondale, Ill.

6:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

12-8-1

Memphis

9-12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Memphis	2	0	3	1	0	0	1	0	0	7	14	1
Southern Illinois	0	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	4	7	1

03/24/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

March 24, 2016

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois could not match Memphis offensively on Thursday, dropping the series opener, 7-4, at Itchy Jones Stadium. The Salukis (12-8-1) were out-hit by the Tigers (9-12), 14-7, and stranded 11 runners on base.

"We had a couple of situations where we needed a key hit to score a run or take the lead, but we couldn't get it tonight," head coach Ken Henderson said. "Right now we are offensively challenged."

The Salukis found themselves in a jam early in the first inning, as the Tigers took a 2-0 lead with five hits in the frame. Southern answered in the second, scoring a pair of runs of their own to tie it at 2-2. Greg Lambert singled for the first hit of the game for Southern before scoring on a double by Nick Hutchins. Hunter Anderson scored the tying run in the inning off of a Tiger wild pitch, bringing the score to 2-2.

The tie wouldn't last long, as Memphis scored three runs in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run home run for a 5-2 advantage. The Salukis had a great chance in the bottom of the third, scoring a run after four walks in the inning. It was the only run SIU could muster, as back-to-back strikeouts ended the threat.

Memphis would score two more runs over the final six inning to pull away from the Salukis. Blackfan led SIU with two hits and two RBIs, while Austin McPheron pitched 3.2 innings, allowing one run on three hits with five strikeouts.

"We didn't play poorly tonight," Henderson said. "We just didn't pitch or hit well enough to get the win."

Game two of the series takes place at 4:30 p.m. from Itchy Jones Stadium. Chad Whitmer gets the starting nod for the Salukis on the mound.