SIU faces tough road test at Mercer

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Oct 17

2 PM

Baseball

Eastern Illinois University

Oct 24

2 PM

Baseball

Central Methodist University

MACON, Ga. - The SIU baseball team travels to Mercer for a three-game series this weekend. The matchups features SIU, who is 4-0 and off to its best start to a season since 1977, and Mercer, who is 3-1 and one of only four programs in college baseball to win 35+ game in each of the last 10 years (2010-19).

Live Stats » Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3

STARTING PITCHERS

Game 1 (5 p.m. CT) » SIU RHP Mike Hansell (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.2 IP) vs. MER RHP Jackson Kelley (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.2 IP)
Game 2 (1 p.m. CT) » SIU LHP Brad Harrison (0-0, 5.40 ERA, 5.0 IP) vs. MER RHP Taylor Lobus (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 7.0 IP)
Game 3 (Noon CT) » SIU RHP Ben Chapman (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.0 IP) vs. MER LHP Fred Wilson (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 4.0 IP)

AROUND THE HORN

SIU is 4-0 for just the third time in program history. The 1977 Salukis also started the year 4-0. The best start in program history was 1967, when SIU started the year 11-0.
Through Feb. 24 games, SIU is one of just 32 teams in the nation that remains undefeated, and one of just 11 teams that is 4-0 or better.
SIU has won nine-straight games dating back to last season. SIU comes into the weekend with the nation's third-longest active winning streak.
- 19 games - Ole Miss
- 15 games - Navy
- 9 games - SIU, Fordham, Belmont and South Carolina
Mercer pitched three-straight shutouts on opening weekend. SIU's starting pitching was also outstanding on opening weekend, combining for a 1.72 ERA over three starts.
SIU's offense has been outstanding, leading the Missouri Valley Conference in walks, doubles, hits, stolen bases, and triples. SIU ranks second in the league in batting average, home runs, runs scored, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Nationally, SIU ranks 18th in the country in batting average, 12th in hits, 20th in home runs, 21st in runs scored, and 17th in slugging percentage.
Ian Walters has reached base in 25-straight games, dating back to late in the 2019 season. Philip Archer has reached base in 15-straight games, dating back to last year.
Nick Neville is hitting .471/.500/.706 this year. He ranks 13th in the nation in hits with eight.
Trey McDaniel has saved two of SIU's first four games. He is one of eight players nationally with two saves already this season. McDaniel has 21 career saves.
As a team, SIU has already stolen 10 bases this year, which ranks seventh in the nation. Brad Hudson has stolen three bags, which ranks ninth in the country.
SIU is 3-0 in one-run games this year.
Noah Farmer has already recorded two wins this year. He is one of five players in the nation who already have two wins. Farmer is 6-1 in seven career decisions.
Through February 24 games, only four athletics programs are undefeated in both baseball and softball.
- SIU (6-0 / 4-0)
- Kentucky (9-0 / 1-0)
- Oklahoma State (9-0, 3-0)
- USC Upstate (3-0 / 3-0)

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Players Mentioned

Philip Archer

Ben Chapman

Noah Farmer

Mike Hansell

Brad Harrison

Brad Hudson

Trey McDaniel

Nick Neville

Ian Walters

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