Southern clinches WIU series with 12-2 win

Saturday, March 4

Carbondale, Ill.

2 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

6-4

Western Illinois

0-9

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

03/04/2017 | 7:17:00 | Baseball

Box Score

By: By John Lock | SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois baseball program clinched the home-opening series against Western Illinois with a dominant 12-2 win at Itchy Jones Stadium. SIU (6-4) pounded three home runs, including Jake Hand's third-inning grand slam, in the win.

"Jake Hand's grand slam was the difference," SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. "That broke it open and gave us some breathing room. We relaxed after that and had some better ABs."

SIU took a 2-0 lead into the third, but Western Illinois (0-9) scored a pair of unearned runs to tie the game in the top of the third. Hand's grand slam in the bottom half—his second grand slam of the season—made it 6-2, and SIU scored three more in the fourth and three in the sixth.

"I'm really proud we kept expanding the lead," Henderson said. "We didn't sit on it. That's something we talk about. When we get a four-run lead, it turns into six, then it turns into eight. I'm really proud of our offense."

Michael Baird (3-0) started for SIU and was his usual dominant self. Western became the first team to score two unearned against him this season, ending a streak of 16-straight scoreless innings to start the year. But he didn't allow any earned runs in his seven innings of work, maintaining his 0.00 ERA in 20.2 innings this season.

"He's almost offended if you get a hit off him; 'What are you doing getting a hit off me?'" Henderson said. "He's nasty, and he's done that for a year and a half. When somebody gets on base, he just gets filthy after that."

More than 700 fans packed The Hill and created a distinct home field advantage for the Salukis. Fans started streaming into the gates more than two hours before first pitch.

"That's the best hill I've seen in years. It looked like the Hill Gang of old," SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. "I want to thank the students and adults that were over there. That was a great atmosphere for college baseball—as good an atmosphere as you'll find anywhere around. Thanks to all those guys for coming out. It was awesome."

With Baird dominating on the mound, SIU's offense continued to roll. Southern recorded 12 hits—the fourth-straight game with 12+ hits after none in the first six games. Hunter Anderson and Logan Blackfan also hit home runs in addition to Hand's grand slam.

"We're still not hitting on all cylinders; but when we do, it can be an awfully good lineup," Henderson said. "Will Farmer is hitting in the eight-hole and he's our leading hitter right now. We have power up-and-down the lineup. As we get going and get further into the season, I think it's going to be even more difficult for other teams because you can't pitch around people. We have good hitters up and down the lineup."

Leadoff hitter Connor Kopach had his best game of the young season. He went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases, and three runs scored.

"One key is Connor Kopach getting on base," Henderson said. "When he does that, we're going to score a lot of runs. He knows that, and he's working extremely hard. He didn't get off to the best start, but he's worked extremely hard the last week or so, and that's the key to our offense."

SIU has a chance to sweep the Leathernecks for a second-straight season. Joey Marciano will start for Southern Illinois after missing last week's game. Henderson said Marciano will be on a pitch count but is 100 percent healthy.

"You can throw our No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 pitchers in a hat and pull one out—there's not a lot of difference," Henderson said. "Obviously, he missed the start last week with a slight muscle strain, but he's 100 percent and ready to go. It's always exciting when you have a chance to do something special on the weekend and that guy is sitting there on Sunday."