Southern Illinois University
13-7, 0
UIC
4-16, 0
Recap | Salukis Struggle in Valley Opener Against UIC, 17-6
03/21/2025 | 10:04:00 | Baseball
The Salukis (13-7, 0-1 MVC) jumped out in front in the third inning, plating three runs behind a two-run double from Matt Schark and an RBI double from Cecil Lofton. After UIC (4-16, 1-0 MVC) got on the board in the fourth, SIU added another run in the bottom half when Gabe Petrucelli roped an RBI double to left center, giving the home team a 4-1 advantage.
UIC responded in the fifth with a four-run frame, highlighted by a two-run home run from Jackson Bessette. The Flames capitalized on a pair of Saluki miscues to take their first lead at 5-4. Southern Illinois battled back in the seventh as Schark delivered again, launching a two-run homer to left field to cut the deficit to 7-6.
Despite the Salukis' resilience, UIC put the game out of reach with a nine-run ninth inning. AJ Taylor delivered the biggest blow with a three-run homer, while Luke Nowak capped the scoring with a two-run triple. Southern Illinois was unable to mount a comeback in the final frame.
Dylan Petrey (2-2) took the loss for SIU, allowing three runs on three hits over two and a third innings while striking out three. Dillon Schueller (1-5) earned the win for UIC after pitching six complete, allowing four runs on seven hits, and striking out three.
The Saluki pitching staff would surrender 12 walks and five wild pitches over the game while Southern also committed a season-high six errors in the loss.
Schark led the Salukis offensively, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Lofton, Jordan Bach, and Tim Simay also added hits for SIU, but UIC outhit the Salukis 17-9.
UP NEXT
Southern Illinois and UIC will wrap up the weekend series on Saturday with a doubleheader. The opening game of the day will begin at 1 p.m. with game two taking place approximately 45 minutes after the conclusion. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN Plus.
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: Schueler, Dillon (1-5)
L: Petrey, Dylan (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Husko, Colin 2
3B: Nowak, Luke 1 ; Thompson-Allen, Terr 1
HR: Bessette, Jackson 1 ; Taylor, AJ 1
RBI: Nowak, Luke 2 ; Bessette, Jackson 3 ; Taylor, AJ 3 ; Husko, Colin 1 ; Cox, David 2 ; Harris, James 1 ; Thompson-Allen, Terr 3
SF: Bessette, Jackson 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Smith, Lucas 1 ; Nowak, Luke 2 ; Bessette, Jackson 1 ; Flanigan, Will 1 ; Butler, DJ 1 ; Taylor, AJ 3 ; Husko, Colin 2 ; Cox, David 3 ; Harris, James 1 ; Thompson-Allen, Terr 2
SB: Nowak, Luke 2 ; Thompson-Allen, Terr 1
Batting:
2B: Schark, Matt 1 ; Lofton, Cecil 1 ; Simay, Tim 1 ; Petrucelli, Gabe 1
HR: Schark, Matt 1
RBI: Schark, Matt 4 ; Lofton, Cecil 1 ; Petrucelli, Gabe 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bach, Jordan 1 ; Schark, Matt 2 ; Simay, Tim 1 ; Hall, Kaleb 1 ; Holder, Jaxon 1
