Saluki Baseball drops series finale to Indiana State, 5-1

Sunday, April 10

Carbondale, Ill.

2:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

19-13-1, 0

Indiana State

21-12, 0

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

04/10/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

April 10, 2016

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois fell behind early and could not rally in the ninth, as the Salukis (19-13-1, 1-2 MVC) dropped the series finale to Indiana State, 5-1, Sunday afternoon.

The Sycamores (21-12, 2-1 MVC) grabbed the lead in the first inning, scoring a run on a throwing error against Saluki third baseman Jared Schmidt with two outs in the inning. Southern had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the first after Connor Kopach hit a double and got to third base with one out, but was stranded after back-to-back outs.

"To me, we set the tone for the game in the first inning with two mental mistakes," head coach Ken Henderson said. "We had a throwing error in the first, which allowed them to score a run. We had a chance to get that run back in the bottom of the first, but swung at some bad pitches. If you get that run in, you change the whole complexion of the game."

ISU added two more runs in the fourth, taking advantage of a pair of walks issued by SIU starting pitcher Michael Baird. A wild pitch and a stolen base allowed both runners to get into scoring position for Dane Giesler, who hit a two-run double into right field. The visitors added a run in the eighth and ninth inning for a 5-0 lead.

Entering the bottom of the ninth, the Saluki bats got into a rhythm. Jake Hand opened the frame with a double down the right field line to put a runner into scoring position. Logan Blackfan followed with a single through the right side, advancing Hand to third. Nick Hutchins plated Southern's lone run of the game with an RBI groundout to the shortstop.

It was another tough offensive day for the Salukis, as they managed six hits against the Sycamore pitching staff. Six different Salukis recorded a hit in the game.

"We didn't take many good swings today and did not give ourselves a chance offensively until late in the game," Henderson said. "Starting from the seventh inning, we started taking some better swings. We just have to be ready to go from the first inning."

SIU will look to bounce back on Tuesday, as the Salukis host Eastern Illinois for a 5 p.m. game at Itchy Jones Stadium.