Recap | Salukis Take Down Butler in Home Opener, 10-8 - Southern Illinois University Athletics

Tuesday, February 27

Carbondale, IL

3 PM

Southern Illinois University

5-3

Butler

3-3

Butler

Southern Illinois

Recap | Salukis Take Down Butler in Home Opener, 10-8

02/27/2024 | 6:30:00 | Baseball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Tim McCaughan, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball ended a three-game losing skid Tuesday after defeating Butler in its home opener 10-8 at Itchy Jones Stadium.

The Salukis (5-3) scored seven runs in the first inning and never relinquished the lead. Southern's first three batters reached base before Jordan Bach and Steven Loden each drew bases-loaded walks to put SIU on top.

Cole Christman drove in two runs with a single to left before Trey Cutchen doubled home a run.

The Bulldogs (3-3) answered SIU's barrage of runs with two runs in both the first and second innings to cut into the lead before the lefty Alec Nigut put up a zero in the third and fourth innings.

Nigut (1-0) pitched five innings, striking out seven batters and walking one to earn his first win of the year.

The Salukis added three more runs in the fourth. Steven Loden drove in what would be the go-ahead runs with a two-RBI single. Hesston Gray drove in an insurance run on a sacrifice fly to close out the scoring for the Dawgs.

Andrew Yusypchuk tossed two scoreless innings in relief striking out two. Kole Coombe pitched the eighth and ninth for SIU. The right-hander struck out four of the nine batters he faced to close out Butler.

Southern continued to show patience at the plate, drawing nine free passes in the game while also reaching base on two hit-by-pitches.

Jake Allgeyer and Loden led the Saluki offense with two hits each.

Carter Dorighi finished 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. Ethan Vecrumba added two base hits.

Tate Foxson fell to 0-1 on the season after giving up four earned runs without collecting an out.

UP NEXT
The Salukis open a three-game series with Appalachian State Friday night at 6 p.m.

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