Southern Illinois University
Northwestern
Saluki Baseball to host Butler, Northwestern this weekend
03/23/2022 | 1:00:00 | Baseball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University baseball team will host Butler and Northwestern this weekend. The games were originally to be played at Butler's Bulldog Park, but the rain earlier this week rendered Butler's home park unplayable. Instead, the three teams will play five games across three days, beginning Friday, March 25 at 6 p.m. with the first-ever meeting between the Salukis and the Northwestern Wildcats. The Salukis have won three-straight after Wednesday's 6-5 win over Arkansas State while the Wildcats enter the weekend winners of four-straight, which includes a pair of wins over MVC foe Evansville. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, have lost four of their last five entering the weekend series.
Weekend schedule (All games played at Itchy Jones Stadium)
Friday, March 25
6 p.m. - Northwestern vs. SIU
Saturday, March 26
12 p.m. - Northwestern vs. Butler
4 p.m. - Butler vs. SIU
Sunday, March 27
11 a.m. - SIU vs. Northwestern
3 p.m. - Butler vs. Northwestern
Notes
- Northwestern is the first Big Ten team SIU's played other than Illinois since the Salukis took two of three from Iowa in Carbondale, Il. in 2016.
- The 2019 game at Butler and six games total vs. St. John's in 2015 and 2016 are SIU's only games vs. Big East Conference teams since Creighton left the MVC for the Big East following the 2013 season.
- Wednesday's win vs. Arkansas St. was the 1,983rd win in the Saluki program's 75-year history.
- SIU scored 5 of its 6 runs in the ASU win in the first two innings. SS Kaeber Rog and LF Nathan Bandy led SIU with 3 hits apiece. 3B Cody Cleveland had two hits in that game giving him two hits in back-to-back games for just the second time this season.
- SIU, which finished first or second in every key MVC offensive stat category in 2021, is 2nd in the MVC in BA, #2 in HR, #1 in R, #1 in RBIs, #1 in hits, and #2 in Slug % in 2022. The Salukis also lead the MVC in walks and are 5th in fewest strikeouts.
- SS Kaeber Rog is SIU's top newcomer. He is 3rd in the MVC in BA (.400), T-1st in H, tied for 2nd in R, and tied for 4th in RBI.
- OF/1B JT Weber is SIU's top hitter. Through Tuesday, He's 2nd in the MVC in BA (.427), 1st in R, T-1st in hits, T-2nd in HRs, and tied for 2nd in RBIs.
- Weber (27), Rog (22), Cody Cleveland (20), and Grey Epps (20) are 4 of the top 6 run scorers in the MVC.
- Weber (8) and Rog (5) are two of the top six HR hitters in the MVC.
- Weber has 23 home runs total the last two seasons (81 games). He has 25 for his career, which is good for 9th place all-time at SIU.
- 2021 starting pitcher-only, Mike Hansell, leads SIU in victories this season with 4. Six of his 7 appearances this season have been in relief (both victories). Hansell totaled 20 strikeouts total in his last two appearances.
- The Salukis lead the MVC in wins (16). Their 148 RPI ranks 6th in the 8 team MVC.
- Saluki pitchers lead the MVC in IP, are 2nd in Ks, and are 6th in R allowed. They're 4th place in ERA (4.84) and in 7th place in most hits allowed (189).
- SIU has moved up 4th in the MVC in fewest errors committed and to 2nd in the league in fielding % (.974).
- RP Trey McDaniel (Senior; Williamsville, Mo.) is tied for second place in career saves (Bryant George, 30). The record belongs to Ryan Netemeyer (2015-18) with 37. McDaniel (1-0-2) is SIU's all-time leader in appearances with 105.
- Four Saluki pitchers combined to no-hit Austin Peay in a 10-0 SIU win on 2/22. SP Ben Riffe (6 IP) combined with relievers Tanner Lewis, Jordan Gould and Kaden Peterson-one inning apiece-to hold the Governors hitless. The Govs stranded 9 baserunners and SIU committed three errors.
- The Salukis return four pitchers who made at least two MVC starts in 2021: Noah Farmer (2021 MVC: 7/5 1-2, 2.18), Ben Chapman (2021 MVC: 7/7 3-4, 4.02), Mike Hansell (2021 MVC: 6/6 0-2, 9.19) and Tanner Lewis (2021 MVC: 7/2 2-1, 3.86).
- SIU was picked to finish 3rd (tied with Ill. St.) in the Missouri Valley Conference's pre-season poll.
- OF JT Weber (2021 All-MVC first team) and 3B Cody Cleveland (2021 All-MVC 2nd team) were chosen for the MVC's 2022 All-Conference pre-season first-team.
- 2022 Roster breakdown: 11 returning players (5 position players, 6 pitchers) from SIU's winningest team since 1990 (40-20). 20 newcomers (12 position players, 8 pitchers).
