Southern drops series opener to Dallas Baptist, 5-2

Friday, April 15

Dallas, Texas

6:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

20-14-1, 0

Dallas Baptist

22-10, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	7	2
Dallas Baptist	2	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	X	5	7	2

04/15/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

April 15, 2016

Box Score

DALLAS, Texas - Southern Illinois got within a run of Dallas Baptist in the fifth inning, but could not complete the rally in a 5-2 loss Friday night. The Salukis (20-14-1, 1-3 MVC) left six runners on base

"You aren't going to get a lot of runs on Friday because you are facing everyone's top guy," head coach Ken Henderson said. "You have to make them earn things and we just did not do that tonight. "

The Patriots (22-10, 3-0 MVC) took advantage of some SIU miscues in the first two innings, scoring three runs for a 3-0 lead to open the game. The Salukis had a chance in the third inning after loading the bases with one out, but could not convert on the opportunity.

Southern broke through in the fifth inning, scoring a pair of runs to make it a 3-2 game. Connor Kopach had to settle for a double after sending a ball into left field that hit near the top of the wall. An error on a close play at first allowed Jake Hand to reach base, putting a pair of runners on. SIU got on the scoreboard after a passed ball and a wild pitch moved both runners two bases. Greg Lambert cut the lead to 3-2 on a sacrifice fly into right field.

Just when it looked like the momentum was in SIU's corner, the Patriots answered back in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run home run by Darick Hall for a 5-2 lead. Joey Marciano's day was over after 4.1 inning, allowing five runs on seven hits.

Southern's rally came up short, as the Patriots held on to their lead to close out the game. Austin McPheron was a bright spot out of the bullpen, pitching 3.2 shutout innings in relief of Marciano. The junior RHP did not allow a hit in his appearance.

"McPheron came into the game and did what he needed to do," Henderson said. "He came into that situation and threw some zeroes and gave our offense a chance to comeback."

Chad Whitmer will get the start for the Salukis in game one of the Saturday's doubleheader, starting at 2 p.m. Michael Baird will close out the series in game two.