
Salukis Even Weekend Series Against Evansville with Saturday Victory
04/15/2023 | 6:12:00 | Baseball
Second baseman Steven Loden did most of the heavy lifting offensively for SIU (21-14, 9-2 MVC), going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored.
Both starters had control early, but Loden's line drive to right center scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Two more runs were added after a hit-by-pitch and a wild pitch.
The Aces (20-14, 6-5 MVC) responded with two runs in the top of the fifth, but Steven Loden blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning to put the Salukis up by four. His 11 home runs and 38 RBIs are both second in The Valley.
Starting pitcher Jordan Bloemer (3-0) stayed undefeated, adding his third victory after five innings pitched, two earned runs, two walks, five hits, and striking out five facing 22 batters. Scott Harper and Paul Bonzagni locked down the victory out of the bullpen, combining for four innings pitched, one earned run, four strikeouts, four hits and two walks.
Tyler Denu (3-2) took the loss for Evansville. Allowing three runs in four innings pitched.
Right fielder Eric Roberts went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. He tallied his 14th home run of the season, which leads The Valley.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will wrap up the weekend series on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game will air nationally on ESPNU.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Bloemer, Jordan (3-0)
L: Tyler Denu (3-2)
S: Bonzagni, Paul (3)
Batting:
2B: Eric Roberts 1 ; Simon Scherry 1
HR: Eric Roberts 1
RBI: Eric Roberts 2 ; Simon Scherry 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Eric Roberts 2 ; Danny Borgstrom 1
SB: Eric Roberts 2 ; Brent Widder 1

Batting:
2B: Christman, Cole 1
HR: Loden, Steven 1
RBI: Bandy, Nathan 1 ; Loden, Steven 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Rodriguez, Ryan 1 ; Christman, Cole 1 ; Rog, Kaeber 2 ; Loden, Steven 2
HBP: Bandy, Nathan 1 ; Rodriguez, Ryan 1 ; Schark, Matt 1