Southern Illinois University’s baseball team lost 7-3 to Evansville on April 11 in a Missouri Valley Conference game. The defeat puts the Salukis at a record of 12-21 overall and 3-5 in conference play.
The result is significant as it marks another setback for Southern Illinois during their season, impacting their position within the conference standings.
Troy Shepard started on the mound for SIU and pitched solidly except for a three-run second inning that put the Salukis behind early. A two-out, two-run double by Evansville proved costly and gave them a quick lead. Cecil Lofton and Henry Kufa each contributed an RBI in the third and fourth innings to narrow the deficit, but SIU was unable to capitalize further with runners on base.
Evansville extended its lead again in the fifth inning. Kaleb Hall responded with a solo home run for SIU in the sixth—his second of the season—but relief pitching struggles led to six combined walks and hit-by-pitches over two innings, allowing Evansville three more runs that secured their win.
Kyle Mager stood out offensively for Southern Illinois with three hits including two doubles, marking his first multi-hit game as a Saluki. Shepard took his third loss of the season after pitching four-and-two-thirds innings with four earned runs allowed and six strikeouts. Tanner Graham and Chris McCormack together limited SIU’s offense while giving up just one earned run for Evansville.
Looking ahead, Southern Illinois will try to avoid being swept when they play Evansville again Sunday at 1 p.m.
