Valpo snaps SIU's winning streak in 14 innings

Friday, May 10

Valparaiso, Ind.

3 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

22-23, 4-12

Valparaiso

11-32, 4-12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	6	3
Valparaiso	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	5	10	2

05/10/2019 | 8:10:00 | Baseball

Box Score

By: By John Lock | SIUSalukis.com

VALPARAISO, Ind. - Valparaiso's baseball team scored a run in the ninth inning to force extra innings and won the game in the 14th inning to snap the Southern Illinois baseball program's five-game winning streak. Kevin Barry's 14th inning two-out RBI single gave the Crusaders a 5-4 win in the series opener.

"We made too many mistakes," head coach Ken Henderson said. "Our effort was good, but we made too many mental mistakes. We didn't get outs on a couple bunts; we missed a sign or two, and we made a couple mistakes on the bases. We just have to play better."

SIU (22-23, 4-12 MVC) got off to an ominous start, getting picked off on the bases in the top of the first inning and committing a throwing error in the bottom half that staked Valpo (11-32, 4-12 MVC) to a 2-0 lead.

SIU got a run back in the third inning when Ian Walters came through with a two-out RBI single, and Walters tied the game with a solo homer in the sixth. Another SIU error on a would-be double play ball in the bottom of the sixth extended the inning, and Valpo took the lead with a bases loaded walk. SIU starter Mason Hiser allowed just three hits in 5.1 innings, and all three runs against Hiser were unearned.

Southern's bullpen pitched well. Justin Yeager relieved Hiser with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, and he got a strikeout and fly out to limit the damage. Yeager went 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit while striking out four and walking none.

SIU took the lead in the eighth inning with a pair of manufactured runs. After Nikola Vasic singled, he went first to third on a hit-and-run single to left field by Will LaRue. After LaRue stole second base, Walters tied the game with a sac fly, and LaRue was in scoring position for Alex Lyon's ensuing RBI single.

Trey McDaniel, the MVC leader in saves, walked the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the ninth. Valpo put down a bunt to advance him to second, and SIU let the ball roll, but it stayed fair for a bunt single. After that, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI ground out sent the game to extra innings.

"We got ourselves in trouble with leadoff walks," Henderson said. "We did a lot of good things on the mound, and a lot of good things in the game, but we have to find a way to win."

At that point, the game became a bullpen pitching duel with Valpo closer Easton Rhodehouse. McDaniel pitched a scoreless 10th for SIU before handing the ball to Matt DeSomer, who put up three-straight scoreless innings to send the game to the 14th inning. But SIU did not get a hit against Rhodehouse, who went six innings and 85 pitches while striking out eight. SIU's bullpen trio of Yeager, McDaniel and DeSomer allowed two runs in 8.1 innings.

"In games like that, it becomes so hard to score because everyone is pressing," Henderson said. "We just couldn't find a way to get a run across."

The second game of the series is Saturday at 1 p.m. on Bauer Field. Blake Begner will start for Southern Illinois.