Box Score (PDF)
CARBONDALE, Ill.—The Southern Illinois University baseball team jumped to an early 6-0 lead thanks to five two-out runs on Sunday, and the Salukis were able to hold off the visiting University of Evansville Purple Aces, 6-4, at Abe Martin Field in Carbondale, Illinois.
The Salukis scored its only non-two-out run in the first inning on an RBI double by sophomore first baseman Chris Serritella. SIU would then string together five two-out singles in the second inning to push the lead to 4-0. Two more two-out singles in the third inning gave the Salukis a 6-0 lead through three.
Evansville was finally able to answer back with some two-out magic of its own in the fifth inning thanks to a two-run, two-out single by junior infielder Cody Fick and a run-scoring wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-3. UE would add another two-out run in the eighth inning on a RBI single by junior outfielder Nate Smith to get within one run, 6-4. But, that’s where UE’s two-out magic ended, as SIU reliever Bryant George tossed a perfect ninth inning to record his sixth save of the year and make a winner out of senior starter Jimmy Cornell (3-4).
“This is really a disappointing way to end the weekend,” said UE head coach Wes Carroll. “After we opened the weekend strong with a 12-run victory on Friday, to come out flat the last two games is very disappointing. But, I know that this team will come to the park ready to go back to work tomorrow at practice, as we have an important weekend series coming up next Thursday, Friday, and Saturday against league-leading Illinois State.”
Fick led Evansville by going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs driven in offensively. Senior outfielder Alex Acheson also extended his season-best hitting streak to 10 games. Serritella led SIU by going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI.
With the victory, Southern Illinois earns the series victory, 2-1, and improves to 25-26 overall and 8-9 in the Missouri Valley Conference. Evansville, meanwhile, falls to 28-24 overall and 8-10 in the league standings with the loss. UE will return to Valley action next on Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. when league-leading Illinois State comes to town in search of the MVC regular-season title. All three games next weekend can be heard live on 91.5 F.M.-WUEV.
