Blackfan's heroics lead SIU to 3-2 comeback win at Memphis

Saturday, March 11

Memphis, Tenn.

12 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

8-6

Memphis

8-6

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

03/11/2017 | 4:24:00 | Baseball

Box Score

By: By John Lock | SIUSalukis.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Logan Blackfan made two spectacular plays in the ninth inning to give Southern Illinois baseball a 3-2 win over Memphis on Saturday afternoon at FedExPark. With SIU trailing 2-1 in the ninth, Blackfan hit a two-run double to give the Salukis the lead. Then Memphis had runners on first and second with one out in the ninth, and Blackfan made a diving catch and doubled off the runner at first to end the game.

"I've never questioned our effort or how much we care," SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. "We battle hard. We didn't play particularly well. You're down a run in the ninth inning, and you haven't played particularly well; it's easy to quit. We didn't do that. We found a way and came up with a huge hit, then made an incredible play on defense to end it."

The game was a pitcher's duel throughout the game. SIU missed a chance in the first inning. The Salukis (8-6) didn't score after loading the bases with nobody out. In the field, SIU committed an error in the third inning and another in the eighth, and both of those runs came around to score to give Memphis (8-6) a 2-1 lead heading into the ninth.

"We needed to win today," Henderson said. "Hopefully, we can build off that. We need to play better and take advantage of our opportunities, but that was a character win to come from behind in the ninth to win a game. We need to play better so it's not that difficult, but we'll take it."

SIU starter Michael Baird was outstanding again for SIU, allowing only two unearned runs in 7.1 innings. He took a two-hitter into the eighth and at one point threw five-straight no-hit innings. Baird still hasn't allowed an earned run in 2017 and will take a 0.00 ERA into his fifth start next weekend.

"He's so special; it's just a joy to watch," Henderson said.

After Memphis scored the go-ahead run in the eighth to take a 2-1 lead, Alex Gutermuth relieved Baird with runners on second and third and only one out. He escaped without any further damage and earned the win to improve to 2-0 this season.

"I can't say enough about him," Henderson said of Gutermuth. "He came into a tough situation with runner on second and third and one out, and he doesn't allow anything else. That's the game right there. He gave our offense a chance."

In the top of the ninth, Ryan Smith worked a walk but was still standing on first with two outs. Nick Hutchins punched a single up the middle, setting the table for Blackfan's clutch two-run double to give SIU a 3-2 lead. Blackfan, whose home town (Cordova, Tenn.) is only 25 miles away from Memphis, completely laid out on the diving catch in the bottom of the ninth the secure the win.

"Seriously, that was one of the best plays I've ever seen," Henderson said of the diving catch. "Not only did he lay out, but that ball is high. Then he scrambles to get up and double off the guy at first. If that ball gets by him, we probably lose the game. That was a big-time play."

With the win, SIU tied the series at a game apiece. The Salukis and Tigers will play the rubber game tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT in FedExPark.

WATCH | Logan Blackfan's game-ending #SCTop10 diving double play. #Salukis pic.twitter.com/ZXWzBoD20Y
— Saluki Baseball (@SIU_Baseball) March 11, 2017