Recap | Salukis Stumble in Series Opener Against Hot-Hitting Missouri State

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2 PM

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Central Methodist University

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois couldn't overcome a powerful offensive surge from Missouri State on Sunday night, falling 12-1 in the series opener of a Missouri Valley Conference series at Itchy Jones Stadium.

The loss snapped an eight-game win streak for the Salukis (21-8, 5-2 MVC), who entered the weekend tied for first place in the MVC. Missouri State (15-13, 6-1 MVC) used a barrage of six home runs to pull away, scoring in five consecutive innings after a scoreless start.

Alec Nigut (5-1), who had been a model of consistency for Southern Illinois, suffered his first loss of the season. The left-hander gave up five runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. The Bears did most of their damage with two outs, beginning in the third inning with a two-run homer by Caden Bogenpohl.

Despite the early deficit, the Salukis got a spark in the fifth when Mason Schwalbach ripped his second double of the night and came around to score on a triple by Jaxon Holder, but that was all the offense SIU would get.

Schwalbach finished 2-for-3 and accounted for half of SIU's offense, with both hits going for extra bases. Holder added the team's fourth triple of the season, continuing his solid production in the middle of the lineup.

Michael Yusypchuk (3-1) was sharp on the mound for Missouri State, going the full seven innings while scattering four hits and allowing one run. He walked two and struck out four.

The Salukis' bullpen, which had been strong throughout the month of March, struggled to hold the Bears in check. Missouri State tacked on insurance runs in the middle innings, including back-to-back home runs in the sixth and a two-run shot in the seventh to cap the scoring.

UP NEXT
Southern Illinois and Missouri State are scheduled to wrap up the series on Monday afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Itchy Jones Stadium.

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