Southern Illinois University
2-0
Northwestern State
0-2
Recap | Salukis Rally to Claim Series Win Over Northwestern State, 14-9
02/17/2024 | 5:49:00 | Baseball
The Salukis (2-0) outhit NSU 14-10 in the game while also taking advantage of 12 free passes.
SIU put up three runs in the first inning followed by a run each in the third and fifth to take a 5-0 lead. Jordan Bach highlighted the scoring for the Salukis early as the newcomer drove a ball off the wall in center to score the first two runs of the game for SIU.
It wasn't until the fourth inning that Northwestern State put a runner in scoring position as Al Holguin was able to navigate through the Demon lineup without trouble. Four walks in the fourth and fifth innings would end the day for Holguin as he left the game with a 5-0 lead, but the bases loaded and one out in the fifth.
Mike Hansell made his debut after missing last season with Tommy John surgery and the Demons would quickly pounce on the opportunity – hitting back-to-back two-run doubles to get right back into the game. Down 5-4, Northwestern State would take its first lead of the season as Braden Benton hit a three-run home run to right field.
Southern would answer back with a big inning of their own in the seventh as the Dawgs put up a seven-spot to reclaim the lead. Steven Loden capped off the scoring with his second home run of the season – a two-run shot to right field to make it 12-7 Salukis. SIU would add two more insurance runs in the game.
Easton Dermody would close it out for the Salukis with a three-inning save. The right-hander struck out five and allowed just one hit.
Hansell would be credited with the win. Adam Alexis allowed five runs while not recording an out for NSU to take the loss.
Trey Cutchen led the Salukis with a 3-for-6 day at the plate while Bach drove in a team-high four runs on a 2-for-5 day at the plate. Jake Allgeyer added three RBIs on a pair of hits.
Bo Willis led the Demons with two hits, a walk, and a pair of RBIs.
UP NEXT
Southern will look for the series sweep of the Demons on Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m. The game will air on ESPN Plus.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hansell, Mike (1-0)
L: Alexis, Adam (0-1)
S: Dermody, Easton (1)
Batting:
2B: Vallee, Mathieu 1 ; Bach, Jordan 1 ; Kodama, Anthony 1 ; Cutchen, Trey 1
HR: Loden, Steven 1 ; Allgeyer, Jake 1
RBI: Vallee, Mathieu 1 ; Eltoft, Bennett 1 ; Bach, Jordan 4 ; Loden, Steven 2 ; Kodama, Anthony 2 ; Allgeyer, Jake 3
SH: Schark, Matt 1
SF: Allgeyer, Jake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vallee, Mathieu 2 ; Eltoft, Bennett 2 ; Bach, Jordan 2 ; Schark, Matt 1 ; Loden, Steven 2 ; Kodama, Anthony 1 ; Cutchen, Trey 1 ; Allgeyer, Jake 2 ; Bandy, Nathan 1
SB: Eltoft, Bennett 1
HBP: Eltoft, Bennett 1 ; Schark, Matt 1 ; Kodama, Anthony 1
Batting:
2B: Gump, Rocco 1 ; Willis, Bo 1 ; Starnes, James 1
HR: Benton, Braden 1
RBI: Lipoma, Reese 1 ; Gump, Rocco 2 ; Willis, Bo 2 ; Jung, Clay 1 ; Benton, Braden 3
SF: Jung, Clay 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lipoma, Reese 1 ; Gump, Rocco 1 ; Willis, Bo 1 ; Jung, Clay 1 ; Benton, Braden 1 ; Valentine, Balin 1 ; Hill, Cole 1 ; Stephenson, Samuel 1 ; Knotts, Hayden 1
HBP: Jung, Clay 1
