Sunday, May 14
Carbondale, IL
12 PM
Southern Illinois University
3
vs
2
Missouri St.
Photo by: Abby Harris
Jake Combs Pitches a Gem as Salukis Take Series Finale Over Missouri State, 3-2
05/14/2023 | 3:06:00 | Baseball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Junior right-hander Jake Combs pitched his best game of the season as the Salukis knocked off Missouri State, 3-2, in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Itchy Jones Stadium.
A Houston, Texas native, Combs went a season-high seven innings in the outing. He allowed only two base hits to the high-powered Missouri State offense and did not issue a free pass in the game. Combs stuck out five and allowed just one run to the Bears to improve to 3-2 on the season.
Southern (29-23, 14-10 MVC) scored their first run of the game in the third inning when Mathieu Vallee drove in a runner from second base with a single, taking advantage of a free pass earlier in the inning by the Bears.
The Salukis added two more runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead. Steven Loden moved into second place in program history for single-season home runs after smashing his 18th homer of the season in the bottom of the seventh. The Salukis added another run on the Bears thanks to an errant throw from shortstop Nick Rodriguez to cap off the inning.
Missouri State (31-18, 18-6 MVC) would get on the board in the eighth inning of play with a solo home run off the bat of Spencer Nivens. The Bears made things interesting in the eighth loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, a single and a walk. Pier-Olivier Boucher made a catch against the wall in left field to save two runs on what was a sacrifice fly for MSU.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Southern went to Sam Replogle out of the bullpen and the right-hander would record a punchout to hold the Bears to just one run in the inning. Replogle came back in the ninth to close the game out easily for his first save of the season.
There were just six combined hits in the game as both starting pitchers were strong throughout.
MSU's Jake Eddington (4-1) took his first loss of the season after allowing one earned run in five complete. He struck out four and walked three in the outing.
UP NEXT
Southern closes out the regular season on the road at Murray State with the three-game series beginning on Thursday.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
A Houston, Texas native, Combs went a season-high seven innings in the outing. He allowed only two base hits to the high-powered Missouri State offense and did not issue a free pass in the game. Combs stuck out five and allowed just one run to the Bears to improve to 3-2 on the season.
Southern (29-23, 14-10 MVC) scored their first run of the game in the third inning when Mathieu Vallee drove in a runner from second base with a single, taking advantage of a free pass earlier in the inning by the Bears.
The Salukis added two more runs in the sixth inning to extend the lead. Steven Loden moved into second place in program history for single-season home runs after smashing his 18th homer of the season in the bottom of the seventh. The Salukis added another run on the Bears thanks to an errant throw from shortstop Nick Rodriguez to cap off the inning.
Missouri State (31-18, 18-6 MVC) would get on the board in the eighth inning of play with a solo home run off the bat of Spencer Nivens. The Bears made things interesting in the eighth loading the bases on a hit-by-pitch, a single and a walk. Pier-Olivier Boucher made a catch against the wall in left field to save two runs on what was a sacrifice fly for MSU.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Southern went to Sam Replogle out of the bullpen and the right-hander would record a punchout to hold the Bears to just one run in the inning. Replogle came back in the ninth to close the game out easily for his first save of the season.
There were just six combined hits in the game as both starting pitchers were strong throughout.
MSU's Jake Eddington (4-1) took his first loss of the season after allowing one earned run in five complete. He struck out four and walked three in the outing.
UP NEXT
Southern closes out the regular season on the road at Murray State with the three-game series beginning on Thursday.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
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