Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis host Indiana State to open MVC play
04/07/2016 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
| Indiana State (19-11, 0-0 MVC) at Southern Illinois (18-11-1, 0-0 MVC) | |
| Date | Friday, April 8 - Sunday, April 10 |
| Time | Friday - 4 p.m. Saturday - 2 p.m. Sunday - 1 p.m. |
| Location | Itchy Jones Stadium - Carbondale, Ill. |
| Probables | Fri. - LHP Joey Marciano (SIU) vs. LHP Justin Hill (ISU) Sat. - RHP Chad Whitmer (SIU) vs. LHP Ryan Keaffaber (ISU) Sun. - RHP Michael Baird (SIU) vs. RHP Tyler Ward (ISU) |
| Video | Friday Saturday Sunday |
| Radio | Friday - 105.1 WVZA Saturday -1300 AM WFRX Sunday - 1300 AM WFRX |
| Audio | SIUSalukis.com |
| Game Notes | Southern Illinois |
| Live Stats | |
| 2016 Season Stats | Southern Illinois |
| Social Media | @SIU_Baseball |Saluki Athletics |
DUE UP
The Salukis open up MVC play with a three-game home series against Indiana State (19-11), starting on Friday.
STARTING ROTATION
Southern will stick with the same starting rotation they have used all season. LHP Joey Marciano (2-3) gets the Friday start, RHP Chad Whitmer (3-0) will be on the mound on Saturday, and RHP Michael Baird (5-1) closes out the series on Sunday.
SCOUTING THE SALUKIS
Southern is 18-11-1 this season after splitting a pair of midweek games. The Salukis are hitting .271 this season with 151 runs scored. Greg Lambert leads the team with 40 hits and 20 runs scored. Logan Blackfan is the RBI leader with 26. The Saluki pitching staff holds an ERA of 3.50. Ryana Netemeyer leads the team with an ERA of 0.56. Chad Whitmer has a team-high 35 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE SYCAMORES
Indiana State comes to Carbondale with a record of 19-11. The Sycamores are hitting .284 with 177 runs scored. Hunter Owen leads the the team in hits (450, doubles (11) and RBIs (32). The Sycamore pitching staff has a team ERA of 3.47. Dan Peterson and Justin Hill lead the team with 35 strikeouts each.
INDIANA STATE SERIES
Southern leads the all-time series against the Sycamores, 93-77. Last year, the Salukis won two out of three games at Indiana State.
GREAT START
At 18-11-1 this season, the Salukis are off to their best 30 game start since 2007, when SIU started 21-9.
BAIRD PITCHER OF THE WEEK (3/21)
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.
TEAM ERA
The Saluki pitching staff has been phenomenal so far this season, ranking second in the MVC with an ERA of 3.50.
TURN TWO
The Saluki defense continues to makes plays with runners on, turning an MVC best 34 double plays this season. SIU ranks fifth in the nation in nation and 7th in double plays per game at 1.14. The SIU single-season record for double plays in a season is 72, set in 2003.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING?
Teams are having a tough time stealing bases against Southern, being caught 18 times this season, to lead the MVC.
FREE TO STEAL
The Salukis continue to steal bases well, tallying 28 so far this season. Connor Kopach leads the team with seven stolen bases, while Dyllin Mucha is 5-for-6 on stolen base attempts.
MY SACRIFICE (bunt)
Will Farmer is currently tied for first in the MVC in sacrifice bunts, laying down five so far this season.
NETEMEYER WITH THE SAVE
RHP Ryan Netemeyer continues to impress as the Saluki closer this season, converting all six save opportunities this season. The sophomore has appeared in 11 games with a 0.56 ERA.
IRON MEN
Greg Lambert, Connor Kopach, Logan Blackfan, and Will Farmer are the only Salukis to start all 30 games this season. Farmer has started every game for SIU dating back to last season.
BASEBALL MAGNET
Nick Hutchins has been hit by a pitch nine times this season, as he currently leads the MVC in the category. With two more HBP's, Hutchins will tie for seventh in the SIU record books for most hit by pitches in a single season.
