Southern Illinois University lost 11-5 to Arkansas State on April 15 in Carbondale. The Red Wolves built an early lead and maintained control throughout the game.
The loss is significant for Southern Illinois as it marks a setback in their season, with Arkansas State’s offense proving difficult to overcome.
Arkansas State took command in the second inning when Patrick Engskov hit a three-run home run and Evan Griffis added a three-run double, giving them a six-run advantage after two innings. Pitchers Ckyler Tengler and Jelle Van Der Lelie kept Southern Illinois scoreless through four innings. Griffis later hit a two-run home run to extend the lead.
Mason Schwalbach put Southern Illinois on the scoreboard with a two-run homer, his second consecutive game with a home run. Kye Watson followed with a triple and was brought home by Henry Kufa’s sacrifice fly. Despite these efforts, Arkansas State scored three more runs in the seventh and eighth innings for an 11-run total.
Xavier Farnum contributed one last effort for Southern Illinois by hitting his first home run of the season in the ninth inning, adding two runs. Engskov and Griffis together drove in ten of Arkansas State’s eleven runs. Dylan Petrey, Gio de Graauw, Nolan Hand, and Tyson Greene each pitched scoreless relief innings for Southern Illinois. Alec Ammerman took the loss for the Salukis.
Looking ahead, Southern Illinois will continue its road conference schedule at Bradley University with a three-game series starting Friday in Peoria.
