Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's baseball team claimed a resounding victory over Bradley University in a three-game series held over the weekend, marked by an outstanding scoring record. The Salukis outscored the Braves 51-19 across the series, with their offense achieving 47 hits and 10 home runs. Bradley, in contrast, was held to a batting average of .225.

Matt Schark played a key role for the Salukis, making a significant impact with three home runs and a team-high 12 RBIs during the series. The first game of the doubleheader on Saturday saw the Salukis win 13-4, with Southern Illinois amassing 16 hits. Notably, Schark secured five RBIs, including those from a grand slam.

"Schark delivered the biggest blow of the night—a towering grand slam to right field," a game summary highlighted, illustrating Schark's remarkable performance in helping secure the victory. Alec Nigut, back from an injury, was the winning pitcher with five innings pitched, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out four opponents.

The second game on Saturday concluded with another 13-4 win for the Salukis, securing their place atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings. Noteworthy contributions included Jaxon Holder, who drove in a run, and Schark, who added to his outstanding day with two more home runs.

"Dylan Petrey earned the win in relief, delivering 2.2 innings of work, allowing one run on one hit while striking out six," the summary noted. Despite Bradley's Tyler Lutz allowing several runs early on, the game confirmed Southern Illinois' superiority.

Next, Southern Illinois will play against Lindenwood, continuing their away game series on Tuesday. The Salukis maintain their engagement with fans on social media platforms, encouraging supporters to stay informed of team developments.