No. 25 DBU rallies past SIU in the ninth

Saturday, April 14

Dallas, Texas

2 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

18-16, 4-4

Dallas Baptist

22-10, 4-1

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

04/14/2018 | 6:35:00 | Baseball

Box Score

By: By John Lock | SIUSalukis.com

DALLAS, Texas - No. 25 Dallas Baptist scored three times in the ninth inning on just one hit to beat Southern Illinois, 9-8. The Patriots clinched the series with their second-straight comeback win.

"We played really well again and put ourselves in position to win," SIU head coach Ken Henderson said. "As was the case yesterday, we just didn't finish. That's obviously something we need to--and will--improve on."

The game was tied 6-6 heading into the ninth inning. Connor Kopach and Logan Blackfan came through with clutch two-out RBI singles to give SIU (18-16, 4-4 MVC) an 8-6 lead. Closer Ryan Netemeyer pitched the bottom of the ninth, but Southern's all-time saves leader struggled with command, throwing just 12 strikes on 33 pitches. He hit one batter, threw a wild pitch, and walked four batters, including a bases-loaded walk that ended the game.

DBU (22-10, 4-1 MVC) clinched its 26th home weekend series win in its last 27 chances at Horner Ballpark. The Patriots overcame a three-run deficit in the seventh inning yesterday to win the series opener, and they overcame the ninth-inning two-run deficit today.

SIU took an early lead with three stolen bases in the second inning. On a double steal, the throw went into center field, scoring one. Grey Epps drove home a second run with an RBI groundout. Kopach had Southern's best offensive day, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. He hit a three-run homer in the third inning to give SIU a 5-2 lead.

SIU 6-3 heading into the fifth inning, but Matt Duce hit a three-run homer in the bottom half to tie the game. Duce is 9-for-14 with six home runs in his career against Southern Illinois, including two homers today.

With the game tied 6-6, Allen Montgomery gave SIU a chance to win with 2.1 scoreless innings in relief, allowing just one hit.

SIU will try to salvage a game on Sunday at 1 p.m. Brad Harrison takes the mound for SIU.