Southern Illinois University’s baseball team will travel to Edwardsville for a game against SIU-Edwardsville on Tuesday, March 9. The Salukis are set for a midweek contest with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
The matchup is significant as it brings together two in-state programs with a long-standing rivalry. Southern Illinois leads the all-time series 34-9 and has a strong record when playing in Edwardsville, having won both meetings last season.
The Salukis come into the game after winning two out of three games at the Cambria Classic, including victories over Omaha and South Dakota State. Mason Schwalbach had an impressive weekend, going 5-for-7 with two walks, while Andrew Evans pitched five shutout innings against Omaha to improve his season record to 2-1. Kye Watson also contributed with multiple hits and runs scored during the tournament.
Head coach Lance Rhodes is in his seventh season and recently reached his 200th win at SIU. The team returns much of its offensive power from last year’s squad that set a school record with 113 home runs. Key players such as Michael Mylott and Gabe Petrucelli continue to lead the lineup, while experienced pitchers like Meade Johnson and Dylan Petrey anchor the staff. Several newcomers have also made early contributions this season.
Southern Illinois was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll, just behind Murray State. Six Saluki players were named to the conference’s Players to Watch list: Tim Simay, Dylan Petrey, Kaleb Hall, Meade Johnson, Cecil Lofton, and Gabe Petrucelli. Last season’s offense ranked among national leaders in several categories including runs scored, home runs, slugging percentage, doubles, triples, sacrifice flies, and stolen bases.
As the Salukis prepare for their matchup against SIUE (5-11), they bring an experienced roster featuring many upperclassmen and are currently leading The Valley with a team ERA of 4.86 and an opponent batting average of .247.
