Salukis Fall to UIC 17-6 in Valley Opener
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball took an early lead, but a strong ninth-inning rally by UIC proved insurmountable, as the Salukis were defeated 17-6 on Friday night at Itchy Jones Stadium.
The Salukis (13-7, 0-1 MVC) took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, courtesy of a two-run double from Matt Schark and an RBI double by Cecil Lofton. UIC (4-16, 1-0 MVC) responded in the fourth with a run, but Southern Illinois extended their lead to 4-1 when Gabe Petrucelli hit an RBI double to left center.
In the fifth inning, UIC surged ahead with a four-run rally, including a two-run homer from Jackson Bessette. The Flames capitalized on a pair of Saluki errors to take their first lead at 5-4. Southern Illinois answered in the seventh when Schark hit a two-run homer to left, trimming the deficit to 7-6.
Despite the Salukis’ fight, UIC sealed the game with a nine-run ninth inning. AJ Taylor hit a three-run homer, and Luke Nowak finished the scoring with a two-run triple. Southern Illinois couldn’t rally in the final inning.
Dylan Petrey (2-2) took the loss for SIU, giving up three runs on three hits over two and a third innings, while striking out three. Dillon Schueller (1-5) earned the win for UIC, pitching six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, and striking out three.
The Saluki pitchers struggled with 12 walks and five wild pitches, while Southern Illinois committed a season-high six errors.
Schark led the offense for SIU, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Lofton, Jordan Bach, and Tim Simay also contributed hits, but UIC out-hit the Salukis 17-9. SIU left several runners stranded.
UP NEXT Southern Illinois will continue the series against UIC on Saturday with a doubleheader. The first game will begin at 1 p.m., with game two scheduled to start about 45 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Both games will be available for viewing on ESPN Plus.
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