
RHP Cole Koonce
Photo by: Madison Giltner
Recap | Murray State Uses Big Innings to Power Past Salukis in Series Opener, 14-1
04/12/2024 | 7:44:00 | Baseball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois dropped its series opener with Murray State 14-1 Friday night at Itchy Jones Stadium.
 
Southern Illinois (19-15, 4-6 MVC) took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning of play and held on to it until the third when Murray State was able to tie the game with an RBI groundout.
 
The Racers (21-12, 5-5 MVC) would get their offense going in the fifth inning of action with a six spot to take a commanding lead. Murray State sent 10 batters to the plate, recorded three hits, earned five walks, and was helped with an error in the inning. After the Racers put two runners in scoring position and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly that would signal the end of the day for Mike Hansell.
 
Cole Koonce would enter the game and induce a sacrifice fly before the Racers drew two walks to load the bases. Dan Tauken recorded a two-run single followed by an RBI single from Taylor Howell. Tauken scored on an error on a failed pickoff attempt to end the scoring run for the Racers.
 
The Racers would add three more runs in the seventh highlighted by Carson Garner who hit a two-run home run and a ninth-inning grand slam from Dustin Mercer.
 
Saluki pitchers issued 13 walks and a hit-by-pitch in the game. Mike Hansell (3-3) pitched 4.1 innings in the start and struck out five while issuing three walks and allowing four runs. Koonce allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Shane Wilhelm gave up three runs in an inning and Sam Myers allowed four runs in 2.2 innings of relief work.
 
Cade Vernon was able to hold the Salukis to just six hits. Jordan Bach and Mathieu Vallee recorded two apiece to lead SIU. The right-hander pitched seven complete innings and allowed just one run on six hits to improve to 5-2 on the year.
 
Ethan Krizen had two hits for the Racers while Mercer was 1-for-4 with six RBIs.
 
UP NEXT
The Salukis return to action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Alumni Weekend events taking place approximately 30 minutes prior to first pitch. The game will air on The Varsity Network with Luke Martin calling the action.
 
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X 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.
 
Southern Illinois (19-15, 4-6 MVC) took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning of play and held on to it until the third when Murray State was able to tie the game with an RBI groundout.
The Racers (21-12, 5-5 MVC) would get their offense going in the fifth inning of action with a six spot to take a commanding lead. Murray State sent 10 batters to the plate, recorded three hits, earned five walks, and was helped with an error in the inning. After the Racers put two runners in scoring position and scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly that would signal the end of the day for Mike Hansell.
Cole Koonce would enter the game and induce a sacrifice fly before the Racers drew two walks to load the bases. Dan Tauken recorded a two-run single followed by an RBI single from Taylor Howell. Tauken scored on an error on a failed pickoff attempt to end the scoring run for the Racers.
The Racers would add three more runs in the seventh highlighted by Carson Garner who hit a two-run home run and a ninth-inning grand slam from Dustin Mercer.
Saluki pitchers issued 13 walks and a hit-by-pitch in the game. Mike Hansell (3-3) pitched 4.1 innings in the start and struck out five while issuing three walks and allowing four runs. Koonce allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Shane Wilhelm gave up three runs in an inning and Sam Myers allowed four runs in 2.2 innings of relief work.
Cade Vernon was able to hold the Salukis to just six hits. Jordan Bach and Mathieu Vallee recorded two apiece to lead SIU. The right-hander pitched seven complete innings and allowed just one run on six hits to improve to 5-2 on the year.
Ethan Krizen had two hits for the Racers while Mercer was 1-for-4 with six RBIs.
UP NEXT
The Salukis return to action Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. with Alumni Weekend events taking place approximately 30 minutes prior to first pitch. The game will air on The Varsity Network with Luke Martin calling the action.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Vernon, Cade (5-2)
L: Hansell, Mike (3-3)
Batting:
2B: Krizen, Ethan 1
HR: Mercer, Dustin 1 ; Garner, Carson 1
RBI: Mercer, Dustin 6 ; Garner, Carson 2 ; Tauken, Dan 2 ; Howell, Taylor 1 ; Krizen, Ethan 1 ; Bland, Logan 1
SF: Mercer, Dustin 1 ; Krizen, Ethan 1 ; Bland, Logan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vogel, Drew 1 ; Mercer, Dustin 2 ; Garner, Carson 2 ; Hogart, Jonathan 2 ; Tauken, Dan 1 ; Hawthorne, Riley 2 ; Orberson, John 1 ; Krizen, Ethan 2 ; Rudd, Dalton 1
SB: Vogel, Drew 1 ; Garner, Carson 1
HBP: Bland, Logan 1

Batting:
2B: Bach, Jordan 1
RBI: Christman, Cole 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cutchen, Trey 1
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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