Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Tuesday, March 24
Martin, TN
5 PM
Southern Illinois University
9-14
2
at
8
UT Martin
11-13
1st innning1
2nd innning2
3rd innning3
4th innning4
5th innning5
6th innning6
7th innning7
8th innning8
9th innning9
RunsR
HitsH
ErrorsE
Southern Illinois
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
2
4
0
UT Martin
5
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
X
8
11
0
Jace Kirby strides to throw a pitch in SIU's 8-2 loss to UT Martin on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Martin, Tenn. Kirby threw three shutout innings with five strikeouts out of the bullpen.
Photo by: Abby Harris
Salukis Fall Short 8-2 at UT Martin
03/24/2026 | 9:51:00 | Baseball
MARTIN, Tenn. - UT Martin got off to a hot start and never looked back as Southern Illinois took an 8-2 loss to the Skyhawks Tuesday night in Martin, Tenn.
TJ Dunsford and Tommy Koch each had two-run hits in the bottom of the first, and a double from Andrew Lawrence helped UT Martin open up a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Southern had just two baserunners through the first six innings, as UTM starter Brandon King was in control from the start. The Salukis were putting the ball in play, but struggled to find holes or put the ball over the fence. King threw five shutout innings with three strikeouts, allowing just two hits and not walking a batter.
Colten Payton and Dunsford came through with the back-breaking RBI base-knocks in the fourth, putting the Skyhawks up 8-0 after four.
Southern's two runs came on a two-run home run from Julio Guerrero in the eighth inning, his fourth of the season. The Caracas, Venezuela, native has been hot as of late, hitting three of his four home runs in the last five games with six RBIs.
Gio De Graauw, Jace Kirby, and Gavan Wernsing were bright spots out of the bullpen for SIU, combining to allow just four baserunners. Kirby threw three shutout innings with five strikeouts, both season-highs.
UP NEXT
The Salukis return to Itchy Jones Stadium Friday, March 27, to begin a three-game series with Utah Tech.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter 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.
TJ Dunsford and Tommy Koch each had two-run hits in the bottom of the first, and a double from Andrew Lawrence helped UT Martin open up a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first.
Southern had just two baserunners through the first six innings, as UTM starter Brandon King was in control from the start. The Salukis were putting the ball in play, but struggled to find holes or put the ball over the fence. King threw five shutout innings with three strikeouts, allowing just two hits and not walking a batter.
Colten Payton and Dunsford came through with the back-breaking RBI base-knocks in the fourth, putting the Skyhawks up 8-0 after four.
Southern's two runs came on a two-run home run from Julio Guerrero in the eighth inning, his fourth of the season. The Caracas, Venezuela, native has been hot as of late, hitting three of his four home runs in the last five games with six RBIs.
Gio De Graauw, Jace Kirby, and Gavan Wernsing were bright spots out of the bullpen for SIU, combining to allow just four baserunners. Kirby threw three shutout innings with five strikeouts, both season-highs.
UP NEXT
The Salukis return to Itchy Jones Stadium Friday, March 27, to begin a three-game series with Utah Tech.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter 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: Brandon King (1-3)
L: Smith, Jackson (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Watson, Kye 1
HR: Guerrero, Julio 1
RBI: Guerrero, Julio 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Guerrero, Julio 1 ; Dibble, Jackson 1
SB: Kufa, Henry 1
Batting:
2B: TJ Dunsford 1 ; Andrew Lawrence 1
RBI: Colten Payton 1 ; TJ Dunsford 4 ; Tommy Koch 2 ; Andrew Lawrence 1
Base Running:
RUNS: TJ Grines 2 ; Andrew Davis 1 ; Colten Payton 1 ; TJ Dunsford 1 ; Garner Anderson 1 ; Eli Huebner 1 ; Tommy Koch 1
SB: TJ Grines 1 ; Colten Payton 1 ; TJ Dunsford 1
CS: Garner Anderson 1
HBP: Garner Anderson 1 ; Tommy Koch 1
PO: Tommy Koch 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
RHP
/ BaseballOF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball3.24.26 | Inside Saluki Athletics Presented By Northwind Rooding & Exteriors: March 24th
Tuesday, March 24
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - UIC Game 3
Sunday, March 22
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - UIC Game 2
Saturday, March 21
Saluki Radio Baseball Broadcast - At UIC (Game One)
Saturday, March 21