Recap | Salukis String Together Late Run, Shut Down SIUE 5-1 in Midweek Road Win

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Oct 17

2 PM

Baseball

Eastern Illinois University

Oct 24

2 PM

Baseball

Central Methodist University

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball used a patient offensive approach and a dominant bullpen performance to knock off SIU Edwardsville on the road, 5-1, Wednesday night at the Simmons Baseball Complex.

The Salukis (35-15) scored four runs over the final two innings to pull away from a one-run game and claim their fourth midweek road victory of the season. Five different pitchers combined to hold the Cougars to just one run, scattering eight hits and stranding 11.

Cecil Lofton came up big once again, going 2-for-4 with a walk and three RBIs. The senior first baseman delivered the final blow in the ninth, lacing a two-run double down the left field line before later scoring on a wild pitch to cap a three-run inning.

Southern broke a scoreless tie in the third when Jordan Bach and Matt Schark each singled to set up the go-ahead run. With two outs, John Lemm reached on an error by the pitcher, allowing Bach to score from third. The Salukis would endure nearly two hours of delays due to lightning and rain in the fourth inning, returning to action just past 8 p.m.

The Salukis threatened multiple times throughout the game, drawing seven walks and stealing three bases, but couldn't cash in again until the eighth. With the game tied 1-1, Lemm worked a one-out walk, and Tim Simay followed with another free pass. Gabe Petrucelli made SIUE pay, delivering a line-drive RBI single to center to plate the go-ahead run.

Southern added insurance in the ninth, sparked by a leadoff single from Jaxon Holder and a walk from Schark. Lofton's double drove both runners in, and after advancing to third on a wild pitch, he came home on another wild pitch to make it 5-1.

On the mound, junior right-hander Tyler Timmerman gave SIU three scoreless innings to open the game. Blaine Harpenau followed with two clean frames before the Cougars scratched across a run in the seventh off Tanner Gerdes. Cole Koonce and Sam Frizzi closed it out with two shutout innings. Gerdes (1-0) earned the win in relief while Frizzi picked up his seventh save of the year.

The Salukis totaled 10 hits, including multi-hit efforts from Lofton, Lemm and Holder. Petrucelli added his 34th RBI of the season.

UP NEXT
The Salukis are set to host Evansville this weekend at Itchy Jones Stadium in what will be the final weekend series of the season. SIU will honor its 12 seniors prior to the series finale on Sunday.

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.

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