Southern Illinois University’s baseball team defeated Omaha 9-1 in the opening game of the Cambria Classic at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Friday. The Salukis, now holding a 5-7 record, established an early lead by scoring in three of the first four innings and totaled 14 hits.
In the top of the first inning, Kye Watson and Henry Kufa each singled before Tim Simay hit a two-run double to left center, giving Southern Illinois a 2-0 lead. The Salukis continued their offensive push in the second inning with singles from Michael Mylott and Mason Schwalbach, followed by Jaden Flores driving in a run with a double. Kufa added a two-run single later in the inning, increasing the lead to 5-0.
The team extended its advantage to 6-0 in the third when Julio Guerrero scored on a wild pitch. In the sixth inning, Schwalbach led off with a single and later scored on Watson’s RBI single. Simay then delivered another two-run double to left center, making it 9-0.
Watson finished with three hits, two runs scored, and one RBI. Simay went 2-for-5 with two doubles and four RBIs. Kufa contributed two hits and two RBIs as well.
Starting pitcher Andrew Evans threw five scoreless innings for Southern Illinois, allowing five hits while striking out three batters and walking one. Dylan Petrey pitched one inning of relief before Blake Kimball closed out the final three innings.
Omaha’s only run came in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Hayden Lewis.
Southern Illinois will continue its participation in the Cambria Classic on Saturday against UNLV at 11 a.m., followed by Sunday’s game against South Dakota State.
Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois baseball through Twitter (@SIU_Baseball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball), Instagram (@SIU_Baseball), or by downloading the “Salukis” Mobile App from app stores.
