Photo by: Abby Harris
Preview | Salukis Host Illinois State for Alumni Weekend
04/24/2025 | 1:04:00 | Baseball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball returns to Itchy Jones Stadium this weekend for a pivotal Missouri Valley Conference matchup as Illinois State visits for Alumni Weekend.
The Salukis (28–12, 10–5 MVC) and Redbirds (19–19, 9–6 MVC) are separated by just one game in the standings entering the series. Southern swept Belmont on the road last weekend, while Illinois State dropped three straight games at Bradley.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday – 6 p.m.
Saturday – 2 p.m. (Alumni Recognition Pregame)
Sunday – 1 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
• All three games will air on The Varsity Network with Luke Martin on the call.
• Live stats and in-game updates are available on Twitter @SIU_Baseball.
QUICK HITS
• Jordan Bach, Matt Schark, and Tim Simay each have 15 or more multi-hit games.
• John Lemm has reached base in 18 consecutive games.
• SIU is 23–5 when scoring six or more runs and 21–0 when leading after six innings.
• The Salukis have outscored opponents 120–69 in the final three innings.
• SIU has stolen 60 bases in 77 attempts, second in the MVC.
LOOKING AT THE REDBIRDS
• Illinois State enters the weekend batting .305 as a team. Daniel Pacella leads the Redbirds with a .392 average, 13 home runs, and 47 RBIs.
• ISU pitchers own a 6.23 ERA, with Thomas Harper pacing the staff at 3.79 through seven starts.
SERIES HISTORY
• SIU trails the all-time series, 96–103, dating back to 1948.
• The Salukis have lost six straight to Illinois State, last winning in the 2023 series opener.
• SIU is 63–51 all-time against the Redbirds at home.
TEAM NOTES
• Southern is batting .298 with a .412 OBP and .521 slugging percentage (25th nationally).
• The Salukis have hit 65 home runs and driven in 317 runs through 40 games (8.5 per game).
• SIU pitchers have compiled a 5.42 ERA (second in MVC), allowing 9.7 hits per nine innings.
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUTS
• Matt Schark leads the team with 12 homers, 50 RBIs, and a .642 slugging percentage.
• Jordan Bach has 17 doubles and is hitting .323 with 50 hits.
• Tim Simay is batting .344 with a .444 OBP and is 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts.
• Gabe Petrucelli has scored a team-high 44 runs with eight home runs and a .589 SLG.
• John Lemm owns 12 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 31 walks in 38 games.
ON THE MOUND
• Alec Nigut is 7–1 with a 2.93 ERA across nine starts, striking out 43 in 46.0 innings.
• Meade Johnson leads the staff with 51.0 innings and 48 strikeouts over 10 starts.
• Sam Frizzi leads the MVC with six saves and carries a 2.16 ERA over 25.0 innings.
• Dylan Petrey holds a 4–3 record with 41 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.
• Tyler Timmerman is 5–2 with a 3.72 ERA and a .250 opponent average over 38.2 innings.
MVC POLL & HONORS
• SIU was picked second in the MVC Midseason Poll, receiving four first-place votes.
• Jaxon Holder and Alec Nigut were named Preseason All-MVC selections.
AT THE HELM
• Lance Rhodes is in his sixth season leading the Salukis, holding a 187–108 career record.
• Rhodes led SIU to back-to-back 40-win seasons in 2021 and 2022, a program first.
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.
The Salukis (28–12, 10–5 MVC) and Redbirds (19–19, 9–6 MVC) are separated by just one game in the standings entering the series. Southern swept Belmont on the road last weekend, while Illinois State dropped three straight games at Bradley.
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Friday – 6 p.m.
Saturday – 2 p.m. (Alumni Recognition Pregame)
Sunday – 1 p.m.
HOW TO FOLLOW
• All three games will air on The Varsity Network with Luke Martin on the call.
• Live stats and in-game updates are available on Twitter @SIU_Baseball.
QUICK HITS
• Jordan Bach, Matt Schark, and Tim Simay each have 15 or more multi-hit games.
• John Lemm has reached base in 18 consecutive games.
• SIU is 23–5 when scoring six or more runs and 21–0 when leading after six innings.
• The Salukis have outscored opponents 120–69 in the final three innings.
• SIU has stolen 60 bases in 77 attempts, second in the MVC.
LOOKING AT THE REDBIRDS
• Illinois State enters the weekend batting .305 as a team. Daniel Pacella leads the Redbirds with a .392 average, 13 home runs, and 47 RBIs.
• ISU pitchers own a 6.23 ERA, with Thomas Harper pacing the staff at 3.79 through seven starts.
SERIES HISTORY
• SIU trails the all-time series, 96–103, dating back to 1948.
• The Salukis have lost six straight to Illinois State, last winning in the 2023 series opener.
• SIU is 63–51 all-time against the Redbirds at home.
TEAM NOTES
• Southern is batting .298 with a .412 OBP and .521 slugging percentage (25th nationally).
• The Salukis have hit 65 home runs and driven in 317 runs through 40 games (8.5 per game).
• SIU pitchers have compiled a 5.42 ERA (second in MVC), allowing 9.7 hits per nine innings.
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUTS
• Matt Schark leads the team with 12 homers, 50 RBIs, and a .642 slugging percentage.
• Jordan Bach has 17 doubles and is hitting .323 with 50 hits.
• Tim Simay is batting .344 with a .444 OBP and is 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts.
• Gabe Petrucelli has scored a team-high 44 runs with eight home runs and a .589 SLG.
• John Lemm owns 12 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 31 walks in 38 games.
ON THE MOUND
• Alec Nigut is 7–1 with a 2.93 ERA across nine starts, striking out 43 in 46.0 innings.
• Meade Johnson leads the staff with 51.0 innings and 48 strikeouts over 10 starts.
• Sam Frizzi leads the MVC with six saves and carries a 2.16 ERA over 25.0 innings.
• Dylan Petrey holds a 4–3 record with 41 strikeouts in 31.2 innings.
• Tyler Timmerman is 5–2 with a 3.72 ERA and a .250 opponent average over 38.2 innings.
MVC POLL & HONORS
• SIU was picked second in the MVC Midseason Poll, receiving four first-place votes.
• Jaxon Holder and Alec Nigut were named Preseason All-MVC selections.
AT THE HELM
• Lance Rhodes is in his sixth season leading the Salukis, holding a 187–108 career record.
• Rhodes led SIU to back-to-back 40-win seasons in 2021 and 2022, a program first.
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.
Players Mentioned
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