Recap | Comeback Falls Short in Series Opener with Central Arkansas

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Oct 17

2 PM

Baseball

Eastern Illinois University

Oct 24

2 PM

Baseball

Central Methodist University

CONWAY, Ark. – Southern Illinois baseball dropped its first game of the 2024 season Friday night after falling to Central Arkansas 9-8 at Bear Stadium.

The Salukis (4-1) rallied to take an 8-7 lead in the eighth inning but were unable to hold off the Bears as UCA scored two in the bottom of the eighth inning. A hit-by-pitch and back-to-back singles loaded the bases for UCA in the inning. A bases-loaded walk tied the game before Reid Bowman put the Bears on top with a sacrifice fly.

SIU put two runners on base in the top of the ninth as Mathieu Vallee reached on a fielder's choice and Bennett Eltoft was hit-by-pitch. UCA's Mason Griffin was able to induce a fly ball to left field to end the comeback effort.

After going down early in the second inning the Salukis put up a two-spot in the third inning to take their first lead but that didn't last long as Arkansas State (2-4) would score four runs in the bottom of the inning spelling the end of the day for right-hander Aidan Foeller.

UCA added a run in both the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to 7-2 before SIU scored two runs in the next three innings – including two in the eighth to get back into the game.

Jake Allgeyer led the Saluki offense with three hits in four at bats while also drawing a walk. Jordan Bach, Steven Loden, and Cole Christman added two hits each.

Mike Hansell took the loss for Southern after giving up the go-ahead run in the eighth.

Griffin earned the win for the Bears after going two innings in relief, striking out three Salukis.

Foeller pitched just two and two-third innings for the Dawgs in his second start. He struck out three and allowed seven hits and two walks before exiting in the third. Easton Dermody went two and a third innings allowing two runs.

Andrew Yusypchuk struck out three in an inning and two-thirds while Tanner Gerdes entered with the bases loaded in the seventh and induced a fly ball to end the Bear threat.

UP NEXT
Southern Illinois will look to even the series on Saturday afternoon with the first pitch set for 2 p.m.

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