Saluki Baseball drops series opener to Wichita State, 8-0

Friday, April 29

Carbondale, Ill.

4:30 P.M.

Southern Illinois University

23-18-1, 0

Wichita St.

16-25, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Wichita State	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	5	1	8	12	0
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	3

04/29/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball

Box Score

April 29, 2016

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois struggled against Wichita State on Friday, dropping the series opener, 8-0. Southern (23-18-1, 4-6 MVC) had four hits in the game and three errors.

"We hit too many fly balls and tried to do too much at the plate," head coach Ken Henderson said. "Guys are pressing and that happens when you are struggling to score runs. It is not a lack of effort, it is just trying to do too much. We just have to get back to playing relaxed."

Neither team could score in the first four innings, but the Shockers (16-25, 6-4 MVC) took control of the game late, scoring eight runs in the last five innings, including five in the eighth. SIU starter Chad Whitmer pitched seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts.

"I thought that Whitmer was outstanding for us today," Henderson said. "I thought that he threw great again and certainly gave us a chance to win."

The Saluki offense struggled against WSU pitcher Cody Tyler, managing four hits over the course of the game. Ryan Smith, Greg Lambert, Jake Hand, and Will Farmer each had a hit for Southern.

Southern gets the opportunity to tie the series tomorrow, when LHP Joey Marciano takes the mound. First pitch for Saturday is set for 4 p.m.