Southern Illinois University’s baseball team concluded their weekend series at Murray State with a win on Sunday. The Salukis, who hold a 32-15 overall record and a 13-8 record in the Missouri Valley Conference, split the doubleheader. In the day’s first game, Murray State narrowly defeated them 3-2 in extra innings. In the second game, the Salukis secured an 11-0 win.
In Game Two, Southern Illinois took an early lead and maintained it throughout, thanks in part to left-handed pitcher Al Holguin’s performance. Holguin pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out six, and pitching a total of 102 pitches to secure his third win of the season. Tanner Gerdes and Blaine Harpenau also contributed with scoreless innings to complete the shutout.
The Salukis’ strong offense began with a leadoff home run by junior Jordan Bach, marking his second leadoff homer of the weekend and his ninth of the year. Gabe Petrucelli later hit a three-run homer, giving the Salukis a 4-0 lead. John Lemm added a solo homer in the second inning.
Southern Illinois increased their lead with four more runs in the seventh inning. Cecil Lofton hit a three-run home run to advance the score to 8-0. A fielding error allowed Matt Schark to score an unearned run. The team added two more runs in the eighth inning without requiring a hit.
In Game One, despite a strong rally to tie the game, Southern Illinois fell to Murray State in extra innings. Jacob Garner of Murray State hit a walk-off double in the 10th inning, resulting in a 3-2 victory for the Racers.
Jackson Payne, Southern Illinois’ senior right-hander, pitched 5.1 innings, giving up two runs on five hits and striking out three. The Salukis’ bullpen kept Murray State scoreless through the ninth inning.
Cecil Lofton led Southern Illinois offensively, tying the game in the eighth inning with an RBI triple. John Lemm added a solo home run in the seventh. However, Southern Illinois’ opportunity to take the lead in the ninth inning was stopped short by a double play.
Murray State’s Diego Silva pitched 7.2 innings, conceding two runs, while Cade Kelham secured the win with 2.1 scoreless innings.
Looking ahead, the Salukis will face SIUE in Edwardsville on Wednesday, with the first pitch set for 5 p.m. CT.
