Salukis Split Doubleheader, Take Series over USI

Saturday, March 14

1 PM

Southern Illinois University

8-9

Southern Indiana

12-7

Southern Indiana

Southern Ill.

Kaleb Hall celebrates a two-run single in Southern's 7-4 win over Southern Indiana in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Itchy Jones Stadium in Carbondale, Ill.

Photo by: Abby Harris

03/14/2026 | 8:57:00 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Jordan Kruse, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois nearly had two miraculous comebacks in Saturday's doubleheader, but settled for a split against Southern Indiana. SIU (8-10) won 7-4 in the first matchup and dropped the finale by a score of 6-3.

Game One - Southern Illinois 7, Southern Indiana 4
Both games featured solid outings from the starting pitchers, as USI's Ryan Weller and Southern's Meade Johnson combined for 10.1 innings with the only three runs surrendered being of the unearned variety.

Each time the Screaming Eagles scored, the Salukis responded.

Both teams cashed in opportunities after errors in the third, and the game remained tied at one until the Screaming Eagles retook the lead, and Gabe Petrucelli knotted the score back up with an RBI single.

Southern Indiana's Jesse Velders collected his second and third RBIs of the game with what seemed to be a back-breaking two-run double to put his team up 4-2 in the eighth.

Having not scored an earned run on the day, SIU strung together a two-out rally to load the bases with senior Kaleb Hall at the plate. Hall came through with a two-run single through the left side as SIU once again tied the game immediately after falling behind. After Jackson Dibble took a walk, the bases were loaded for the second time in the frame, and a wild pitch scored Henry Kufa to give Southern its first lead of the day. The brutal inning for the Screaming Eagles' bullpen continued as Jacob McKenzie scored Hall and Dibble on a two-run single, giving his team five runs in the inning, all with two outs. USI used three relievers in the inning.

Head Coach Lance Rhodes turned to Jack MacIntosh to get the final three outs. While USI brought the tying run to the plate, MacIntosh induced a ground ball right to third baseman Jaden Flores, who stepped on the bag to end the game and give Southern the series victory.

Dylan Petrey (W, 2-2) earned the win for SIU, while Ryan Skwarek was charged with the loss.

Game Two - Southern Indiana 6, Southern Illinois 3
Southern Indiana starting pitcher Ean DiPasquale was the story through game two, as the Salukis were not able to scratch across a run through the first seven innings, and had just four runners reach base, one on an error.

Tyson Greene delivered in a big way for SIU, keeping the game within reach in the late stages. Already in a three-run hole in the fifth and runners on the corners, Greene made a clutch pitch and got Velders to ground into a 4-6-3 double play.

In the top of the seventh, Southern Indiana looked poised to extend its lead, but left fielder Michael Mylott spoiled a potential sacrifice fly with a perfect throw home.

Despite a jolt of energy from the defense, DiPasquale kept chugging along, and his team was finally able to extend their lead in the top of the eighth. The Salukis walked four batters to bring in a run, and the lead became six after a fielder's choice and a throwing error.

Dibble put Southern on the board with an RBI double in the bottom of the eighth, putting real pressure on DiPasquale for the first time. The right-hander then walked Julio in the midst of two wild pitches, helping Dibble score.

Down 6-2 in the ninth, SIU quickly loaded the bases. Mason Schwalbach lined out to first, then pinch-hitter Kyle Mager grounded out to first, scoring Kaleb Hall but giving SIU just one more out to work with. Bryce Habuda loaded the bases with a walk, making Jackson Dibble the potential winning run. Dibble hit the ball hard, but directly at center fielder Khi Holiday, who made the catch and salvaged the weekend for the Screaming Eagles with a 6-3 victory over Southern.

DiPasquale finished his sensational start with 7.2 innings pitched and two earned runs on two hits while striking out seven. SIU starter Troy Shepard (L, 0-2) took the loss.

UP NEXT
The Salukis are scheduled to face UT Martin on Tuesday night at Itchy Jones Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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