Saluki Baseball opens 2018 season at Jacksonville State

Friday, February 16

Oxford, Ala.

3 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

Jacksonville State

02/15/2018 | 7:11:00 | Baseball

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (0-0, 0-0 MVC) at JACKSONVILLE STATE (0-0, 0-0 OVC) // Feb. 16-18, 2018 // Oxford, Ala. (Weather) // Choccolocco Park (1,200 // Grass) // SIU Game Notes PDF

The Southern Illinois baseball team opens the 2018 season with a three-game series at Jacksonville State. Schedule note: the series, originally scheduled for Abbott Field, will instead be played at Choccolocco Park due to ongoing construction at Abbott Field. Friday's game will begin at 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday's games will start at 1 p.m.

GAME 1 - Friday, February 16 // 3 p.m. // Stats | Audio (Provided by Jacksonville State)

SIU RHP Michael Baird
JSU RHP Garrett Farmer

GAME 2 - Saturday, February 17 // 1 p.m. // Stats

SIU LHP Jamison Steege
JSU LHP Derek Adams

GAME 3 - Sunday, February 18 // 1 p.m. // Stats | Audio

SIU RHP Mason Hiser
JSU RHP Colton Pate

AROUND THE HORN

Southern Illinios opens the 2018 season at Jacksonville State for a three-game series. The series will be played at Choccollocco Park in Oxford, Ala., due to continuing construction on JSU's Abbott Field.
The SIU-Jacksonville State series is tied 10-10 all-time. This marks the third-straight year the teams have faced off in a weekend series; and the teams are 3-3. SIU won two of three in 2016; JSU won two of three last year in Carbondale.
The Salukis were picked fourth in the preseason MVC poll of head coaches. Starting pitcher Michael Baird, closer Ryan Netemeyer, and shortstop Connor Kopach were all named preseason All-MVC.
SIU's 2018 returns just two position starters from 2017 -- Connor Kopach and Logan Blackfan. Michael Baird returns to the weekend starting rotation, and Ryan Netemeyer returns as closer. Jamison Steege, Brad Harrison, Allen Montgomery, and Henry Boeckmann all started mid-week games last year and return in 2018.
Netemeyer and Kopach were honorable mention All-MVC selections in 2017. Kopach was also named to the MVC All-Defensive team.
Netemeyer was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watch List in 2018. Netemeyer has 28 career saves, which is second among all active players in Division I, and his 15 saves last year are third-most among returning closers.
Senior first baseman Logan Blackfan holds the SIU career record for doubles. He has 54 career doubles, breaking the previous record of 51 shared by Chris Serritella (2009-12) and Tim Kratochvil (1993-96).
Senior closer Ryan Netemeyer was a semifinalist for both NCBWA Stopper of the Year and National Pitcher of the Year.
Netemeyer saved 15 games in 2017, the sixth-most in the NCAA. His 15 saves broke a 27-year old school record set by Al Levine (13 saves in 1990).
Southern Illinois stole 100 bases in 2017 after only swiping 38 bags in 2016. Southern's 100 stolen bases led the MVC by 42 and ranked 14th nationally. It marked the most stolen bases for SIU since taking 109 bags in 1991.
Connor Kopach stole 33 bases in 2017, which ranked fourth in the NCAA and marked the most stolen bases for any Saluki since Bob Geary had 34 in 1991.
SIU has led the MVC in double plays turned in four of the last five years.