Sunday, February 16
Edinburg, TX
12 PM
Southern Illinois University
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2
at
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UTRGV
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8
9
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H
E
Southern Illinois
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1
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UT Rio Grande Valley
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Meade Johnson
Photo by: Tori Alvarado, UTRGV Athletic Communications
Recap | UTRGV takes rubber match after Southern's rally falls short
02/16/2025 | 3:09:00 | Baseball
EDINBURG, Texas – Southern Illinois' offense fell quiet in a 3-2 loss in the rubber match against Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas. The Salukis put the tying run on second in the top of the ninth but could not cash in.
For the third game in a row, the Salukis struck first. Jordan Bach brought home Cecil Lofton with an RBI single to put the Dawgs ahead by one.
A two-out fielding error set the table for the Vaqueros to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Hank Warren tied the game with an RBI single and Jacob Sanchez added two more with a single of his own.
Meade Johnson (0-1) was lifted before the game-tying single in the bottom of the fourth after 3.2 innings pitched. The Mattoon, Ill., native did not allow an earned run and gave up two hits and struck out five in his Saluki debut.
Southern put a runner on base in each inning of the contest, but could not drive another run home until the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter John Lemm hit the team's first home run with a solo shot to make it a one-run ballgame. After a Mason Schwalbach single and a walk from Michael Mylott, the Salukis had the go-ahead run on base with two outs. Cecil Lofton stepped to the plate and nearly put the Salukis ahead with a long fly ball that had home run distance, but was just outside the foul pole. The play was reviewed, but the call on the field of foul was upheld. Two pitches later, Lofton lined out to left to end the game.
Vaqueros reliever Harrison Thayer (1-0) picked up the win after allowing zero runs in four innings of relief. Steven Oliva earned the save.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will travel to Tennessee Tech for its next weekend series beginning Friday, Feb. 21.
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.
For the third game in a row, the Salukis struck first. Jordan Bach brought home Cecil Lofton with an RBI single to put the Dawgs ahead by one.
A two-out fielding error set the table for the Vaqueros to score three runs in the bottom of the fourth. Hank Warren tied the game with an RBI single and Jacob Sanchez added two more with a single of his own.
Meade Johnson (0-1) was lifted before the game-tying single in the bottom of the fourth after 3.2 innings pitched. The Mattoon, Ill., native did not allow an earned run and gave up two hits and struck out five in his Saluki debut.
Southern put a runner on base in each inning of the contest, but could not drive another run home until the top of the ninth when pinch-hitter John Lemm hit the team's first home run with a solo shot to make it a one-run ballgame. After a Mason Schwalbach single and a walk from Michael Mylott, the Salukis had the go-ahead run on base with two outs. Cecil Lofton stepped to the plate and nearly put the Salukis ahead with a long fly ball that had home run distance, but was just outside the foul pole. The play was reviewed, but the call on the field of foul was upheld. Two pitches later, Lofton lined out to left to end the game.
Vaqueros reliever Harrison Thayer (1-0) picked up the win after allowing zero runs in four innings of relief. Steven Oliva earned the save.
UP NEXT
The Salukis will travel to Tennessee Tech for its next weekend series beginning Friday, Feb. 21.
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: Thayer, Harrison (1-0)
L: Meade Johnson (0-1)
S: Oliva, Steven (1)
Batting:
HR: John Lemm 1
RBI: Jordan Bach 1 ; John Lemm 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cecil Lofton 1 ; John Lemm 1
SB: Cecil Lofton 1 ; Matt Schark 1
CS: Jordan Bach 1
HBP: Kaleb Hall 1
PO: Jordan Bach 1
Batting:
RBI: Warren, Hank 1 ; Sanchez, Jacob 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lancia, Steven 1 ; Moomau, Easton 1 ; Warren, Hank 1
SB: Williams, Thomas 1
CS: Janner, Evan 2
Game Leaders
AB
5
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
5
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
OF/INF
/ Baseball
C/INF
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