Trailing 9-1 heading into the eighth inning, Southern collected four hits and three walks to give them six runs. Saluki goalkeeper Jake Allgeyer he showed off his fastball and hit his third home run of the season on a wall out from right field – the three-run home run made the score 9-4.
After Cole Christman doubled, Hesston Gray he walked and Jordan Bach intended for charging databases, Nathan Bandy he sent a counterattack to left, cutting the Sycamore lead to just two runs at 9-7.
Indiana State and reliever Zach Davidson got out of the innings with a double play out on third base to end the Saluki rally.
SIU (25-18, 9-8 MVC) kept the pressure on in the bottom of the ninth period Cole Christman came close to tying the game with a long ball with the warning track on the left when Cameron Holycross finished the game with his second save.
It was all Indiana (30-9, 13-4 MVC) as the Trees jumped out to a 3-0 lead. The Sycamores had two throw-ins in the second quarter, and ISU led in the first period of the game when Randel Diaz crossed from the left wing and scored for Joe Kido.
In the fourth inning of action, the Sycamores scored two more runs to take a 3-0 lead. Mike Sears started the inning with a groundout, then Grant Magill drilled him in on a double off the wall in left field. Kido was hit by the ball on a bunt attempt AND Southern Illinois would go to jail Cole Koonce with two on and no outs.
ISU loaded the bases with a groundout, then Koonce forced a ground ball to stop to trigger a double play on a single. Southern will get out of the round when Jordan Bach he made a diving run to right field to end the Sycamore scoring rally.
Southern would break into the hitting column in the fourth Jake Allgeyer he started the inning with a single to the left side of the infield. Indiana State's Brennyn Cutts retired the next three batters he faced in popups.
SIU broke the scoring column in the fifth set. Senior Nathan Bandy he led off the inning with a double to the left. Bandy was previously third Mateusz Valle selected inside to make the first run of the day for the south.
Indiana State took advantage of this opportunity and opened the match in the seventh set. With the bases loaded and one from the South, we headed to the bullpen Scott Harper. The right-hander was hit hard before Magill sent the ball over the left-field wall for a grand slam to extend Sycamore's lead to 7-1.
Ben Riffe (2-3) pitched three innings for SIU, striking out three, allowing three walks and three runs. Southern got three strong innings Cole Koonce a relief when the right-hander allowed just one hit and struck out two in his outing.
Cutts (6-1) was impressive for the Sycamores as he pitched seven complete innings and allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out six batters.
IN THE FUTURE
The series finale with SIU and Indiana State is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. at Itchy Jones Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and will be hosted by Clay Matvick and Mike Rooney. Saluki fans can listen to a radio show on Varsity Network where Luke Martin and Mike Trude invite you to get in on the action.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Stay up to date with the latest Saluki news and information by following the team on X at @SIU_Baseballon Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseballand Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the “Salukis” mobile app on the website App Store Or Google Play Store.
