Salukis host Murray State for Crucial Weekend Series

Friday, April 24

6 PM

Southern Illinois University

Murray State

Gabe Petrucelli (6) celebrates a solo home run with teammates Jaden Flores (18) and Michael Mylott (16) during Southern Illinois' 5-1 loss at SEMO Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Photo by: Abby Harris

04/23/2026 | 6:21:00 | Baseball

By: Jordan Kruse, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois baseball aims for revenge as it travels to SEMO for a midweek matchup Tuesday night in Cape Girardeau.

THE SCHEDULE

Friday — 6 p.m. | Live Stats | Watch
Saturday — 2 p.m. | Live Stats | Watch
Saturday — 3 p.m. | Live Stats | Watch | Listen

THE PROBABLE STARTERS

Andrew Evans (5-1, 1.81 ERA) vs. Nic Schutte (6-3, 3.48 ERA)
Troy Shepard (2-3, 4.05 ERA) vs. Jacob Hustedde (2-3, 4.14 ERA)
TBA vs. Drew Deremer (3-0, 5.73 ERA)

AROUND THE HORN

The Salukis earned their first sweep of the 2026 season with three wins against Bradley over the weekend before losing a midweek matchup 5-1 at SEMO on Tuesday. They scored 10 runs Friday and 13 Sunday, the first time they had scored in double digits multiple times in a set.
Troy Shepard delivered his best performance of the 2026 season in Saturday's 6-2 victory over Bradley. The Washington State transfer tallied a Division I career-high 12 strikeouts and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning, officially ending with just one hit allowed through eight full innings pitched. The southpaw is tied for third in the Missouri Valley Conference with 56 strikeouts, second in opponent batting average (.198) and ranks fourth in strikeouts per nine (9.45) and WHIP (1.18). His performance earned him the Missouri Valley Conference's Newcomer of the Week award.
Cecil Lofton slashed .467/.619/.800 during Southern Illinois' 3-1 week, which included a sweep of Bradley, the team's first of the 2026 season. The Resaca, Ga., native had three extra-base hits and six RBIs, including a grand slam in Friday's 10-1 win over the Braves. Lofton is tied for the SIU lead with six home runs on the season, and leads the Missouri Valley Conference with six sacrifice flies. He ranks 10th among hitters with a .350 batting average in league play.
SIU hit a school-record 113 home runs last season, with a large portion of that power returning, led by Michael Mylott and Gabe Petrucelli. The pitching staff also brings back experience, including weekend starter Meade Johnson and reliever Dylan Petrey, while several newcomers are expected to play key positions early in the season.
Consistent with previous seasons under Rhodes, the Salukis have over 20 new pieces as the season begins. The roster consists of 13 seniors, 15 juniors, three sophomores, and just two freshmen.

RHODES AT THE HELM

Lance Rhodes is in his seventh season as head coach, guiding SIU to back-to-back 40-win seasons for the first time in program history (2021 & 2022). He owns a 212-138 record at SIU, reaching the 200-win mark in a March 3 victory over North Dakota State.

THE MATCHUP

Southern Illinois (16-23, 7-5 MVC) vs. Murray State (24-17, 10-5 MVC)
Common non-conference opponents: Lindenwood, SEMO, UT Martin (Murray State: 2-4, SIU: 0-5)
SIU leads the all-time series 55-31-1, but MSU took three of the four matchups in 2025, including a 10-5 victory over Southern in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
One of The Valley's most balanced teams offensively, the Racers make the defense work with the lowest strikeout total in the league. They have scored the second-most runs with 280.
The bullpen has been a strength, notching an MVC-leading 11 saves this season.
Luke Mistone leads the Racers, hitting .353 with 38 RBIs in 2026, while Kainen Jorge has smacked eight home runs.
The Racers join SIU and Evansville as the three MVC teams with two pitchers ranked in the top 10 in earned run average (Schutte, Hustedde). Dylan Zentko is tied for the conference lead with seven saves.

MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL

Southern Illinois was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. Murray State was selected as the conference favorite, followed by SIU, UIC, Illinois State, and Indiana State.

Six Salukis were named to the MVC Players to Watch list:

Simay led SIU with a .351 batting average last season, while Petrey was a key arm out of the bullpen and earned All-MVC Honorable Mention honors.

The Salukis have an experienced roster, including only a handful of underclassmen, and rely heavily on leadership with experience in the Saluki Baseball program.

IN THE BATTER'S BOX

Southern Illinois returns big offensive production from last season's lineup, including several of the team's top run producers and power hitters. Petrucelli and Mylott headline a group that helped set the program's single-season home run record.
The Salukis are tied for 37th in the nation with 22 sacrifice flies.

ON THE MOUND

SIU brings back key arms to anchor the pitching staff, including Meade Johnson and Dylan Petrey. The Salukis have also added several transfers, including Andrew Evans, who has been the Friday starter this season. The Kansas State transfer features a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s with multiple wipeout pitches and has been one of The Valley's best arms early on.
The Salukis are currently second in The Valley with a 5.33 team ERA and lead the league in opponent batting average at .242, allowing the fewest hits per nine (7.98, 33rd in NCAA) and leading the MVC in strikeouts per nine (8.82).
The bullpen has collected eight saves, third in the conference.

HISTORIC 2025 OFFENSE

SIU ranked 25th nationally and second in the MVC with 500 runs scored in 2025, and led the league with 8.8 runs per game.
The Salukis were 42nd nationally with 603 hits.
SIU ranked 10th nationally and first in the MVC with 113 home runs.
Southern ranks sixth nationally and led the MVC with a .555 slugging percentage.
The Salukis were tied for 30th nationally and tied for second in the MVC with 124 doubles.
SIU was second in the MVC and ranked 28th nationally with 17 triples.
The Salukis were tied for 24th nationally and led the MVC with 33 sacrifice flies.
SIU was second in the MVC with 81 stolen bases.
The staff posted five shutouts, tied for 21st nationally and second in the MVC, and boasted 12 saves.

LEAD DAWGS

Kye Watson was the top Saluki hitter in the opening series at Oral Roberts. The freshman from Lititz, Pa., went 5-for-11 at the plate and hit two solo homers in his debut series for Southern.
Julio Guerrero is second in the MVC with 17 stolen bases and is tied for the SIU lead with six home runs. He ranks in The Valley's top 10 of slugging percentage (.571, 7th), hit-by-pitches (9, T-10th), and sacrifice flies (3, T-10th).
Cecil Lofton leads the MVC with six sacrifice flies and is tied for the team lead with six home runs. Jaden Flores is tied for 10th with three sac flies and tied for the MVC lead with five sacrifice bunts.
Kristian Sprawling has been a baseball magnet, taking 15 hit-by-pitches in 78 at-bats.
Andrew Evans is second in The Valley and tied for 15th in the nation in ERA (1.81) and has 69 strikeouts, leading in the MVC. He also sports the league's third-best opponent batting average at .201, and the best WHIP (1.04) among qualified pitchers.
Troy Shepard is second in the league with an opponent batting average of .198, eighth with a 4.05 ERA, fourth with a 1.18 WHIP, and tied for third with 56 strikeouts.

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