Greg Blaesing went 2-for-6 with a homer, a run scored and two RBI as the Illinois State baseball team split a doubleheader with Southern Illinois dropping the first, 5-1, but coming back with a win in the second game, 10-6, at Abe Martin Field Saturday in Carbondale, Ill.
Following both games Saturday, Illinois States overall record stands at 9-15, 3-8 in Missouri Valley Conference play. The Salukis are now 17-12 overall and 8-3 in league play.
Anytime you can win the second game after dropping the first one is a big victory, said Illinois State head coach Jim Brownlee. Josh pitched very well for us today in the second game and our guys responded to the game one loss by getting some big hits. Now we just have to carry this momentum into Sunday to pick up the series split.
In game one, Illinois State was able to get on the board first with a run in the top of the third after Jeremy Accardo hit a double to left center with one out and later scored from third on a fielding error on a fly ball by Saluki left-fielder Nick Baughman. However, Southern Illinois responded in the bottom of the inning with four runs off four hits, including a three-run homer to right-center by Greg Andrews, to steal the lead, 4-1.
The Birds missed an opportunity to narrow the lead in the fourth with runners advancing to second and third on a passed ball by Saluki catcher Brendan Lutz, but Accardo struck out to record the third out. SIU tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when an error by Jake Blair at second base proved costly as it kept the inning alive and allowed Andrews to later score from third on a groundout double play to second.
Illinois State did not threaten the Salukis lead in the final three innings of the game with Greg Blaesing providing the only Redbird hit in the seventh, but was left stranded at third to end the game. Illinois State starter Todd Stein (1-3) took the loss pitching all six innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on six Saluki hits, while SIU starter Bryan Rueger (3-0) also pitched the entire game allowing one run (none earned) and only four hits in the seven innings.
In game two, the Redbirds jumped out early getting five hits in the first two innings, including three doubles and a homer to right-center by Blaesing, that led to a 3-0 Illinois State advantage. Southern Illinois got a run back in the bottom of the second with back-to-back hits by Andrews and Nathan Boldt respectively that cut the Redbirds lead to two, 3-1.
A two-run bomb well over the right field wall by Jon Peacock, his third of the season, provided Illinois State with some more cushion in the third inning for starter Josh Kauten (2-2) as it extended the Redbirds lead to five, 6-1. The Salukis had a chance to cut into the lead in the bottom of the inning, but with two outs and runners at first and second Sal Frisella sent a line drive right to Illinois State centerfielder Kevin ODell for the final out.
Jeremy Pickrel smashed a solo shot down the right field line that stayed fair and gave the Birds another run to take a 7-1 lead into the fifth. Kauten kept the pressure on the Salukis only four hits and one run through his first six innings. Peacock was able to cross home plate in the seventh when Lance McMillan used a steal attempt to get Saluki catcher Toby Barnett to throw to second and Peacock headed home from third and scored on an error by Barnett at the plate to put the Birds up 8-1.
Southern Illinois got a run in the seventh when Josh Markle was able to score from third on a fielding error at third base by Jay Molina to make the score 8-2 after seven innings. The Salukis loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning and they were able to score four runs in the side with an error at third base and timely hits helping SIUs cause.
A double by Pickrel to lead off the ninth inning and a triple down the right field line by McMillan helped plate two Redbirds and provided Illinois State with a four-run cushion, 10-6, heading into the Salukis final opportunity. However, Southern Illinois refused to roll over and with one out, Barnett hit a double down the right field line and advanced to third on a single by Nathan Embrick. The Birds were able to turn a 4-6-3 double play to close out the game and secure the win, 10-6.
Illinois State concludes its series with Southern Illinois Sunday with a nine-inning game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
