Salukis host Braves to open MVC play

Calendar

Oct 17

2 PM

Baseball

Eastern Illinois University

Oct 24

2 PM

Baseball

Central Methodist University

The Southern Illinois University baseball team opens Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend when the Bradley Braves come to town for a three-game series. The Salukis, fresh off run-ruling the UT Martin Skyhawks, 14-2 in seven innings on Tuesday, currently lead the Valley with 18 wins. All three games of the series can be streamed on ESPN3.

Notes:

This is Bradley's first series in Carbondale since it lost two of the three vs. the Salukis in 2018. BU's won 6 of the last 7 regular season games v. the Salukis, all in Peoria.
SIU, which finished first or second in every key MVC offensive stat category in 2021, is 2^nd in the MVC in BA, #1 in HRs, #1 in R, #1 in RBIs, #1 in hits, and #2 in Slug % in 2022. The Salukis also lead the 2022 MVC in walks and have struck out the 4^th most times.
SS Kaeber Rog is a top MVC newcomer. He is 5^th in the MVC in BA (.402), T-1^st in H, 6^th in R, and 3^rd in RBI.
CF/1B J.T. Weber is SIU's top hitter. He is 2^nd in the MVC in BA (.430), 1^st in R, T-1^st in hits, 2^nd in HRs, and T-1^st in RBIs.
Weber (33), Rog (25), Cody Cleveland (26), and Grey Epps (26) are 4 of the top 6 run scorers in the MVC.
Weber (11) and Rog (6) are two of the top 5 HR hitters in the MVC.
Weber has 28 HRs for his career and is in a three-way tie for 5^th place all-time at SIU.
2022 reliever turned starter, Mike Hansell, leads SIU in victories this season with 4. Seven of his 9 appearances this season have been in relief (both victories). Hansell totaled 20 strikeouts total in consecutive relief appearances, Mar. 13^thand Mar. 19^th.
The Salukis lead the MVC in wins (18) but are last in the MVC in RPI (187).
Saluki pitchers lead the MVC in IP, are 2^nd in Ks, and are 6^th in most runs allowed. They're 5^th in ERA (5.33) and have allowed the 2^nd most hits in the MVC.
SIU has moved up to 4^th in the MVC in fewest errors committed and to 2^nd in the league in fielding % (.974).
RP Trey McDaniel (Senior; Williamsville, Mo.) is in 2^nd place in career saves (31). #1 is Ryan Netemeyer (2015-18) with 37. McDaniel (2-0-3) is SIU's all-time leader in appearances with 107. McDaniel is 7^th all-time in MVC career appearances and 5^th all-time in MVC career saves.
Four Saluki pitchers combined to no-hit Austin Peay in a 10-0 SIU win on 2/22/22. 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 3^rd (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 2^nd 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).

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Ben Chapman

Cody Cleveland

Grey Epps

Noah Farmer

Jordan Gould

Mike Hansell

Tanner Lewis

Trey McDaniel

Kaden Peterson

Ben Riffe

Kaeber Rog

J.T. Weber

Scoreboard