Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois baseball team will host Missouri State for a three-game series starting with a doubleheader on Sunday due to weather conditions. Both teams currently share a leading 5-1 record in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC). Missouri State was forecasted to win the MVC in the Mid-Season Poll, with Southern Illinois placed second, indicating a competitive matchup.

The Salukis are currently on an impressive eight-game winning streak, with an overall record of 21-7. In a recent away series, SIU dominated Bradley, scoring a total of 51 runs over three games. Their performance is supported by a stellar home record of 12-3.

Pitching ace Alec Nigut, will take the mound with a current record of 5-0 and an ERA of 1.67. The team's pitching staff sits as the leader in the MVC, with a collective ERA of 5.23, surprising opponents by allowing only 16 home runs over 28 games.

Missouri State has a similarly strong season with a recent record of 14-13. The Bears have showcased substantial hitting power, scoring 99 runs over their last eight games. They also hold the highest strikeout rate in the MVC at 9.9 strikeouts per nine innings.

Looking back at their historical encounters, SIU trails Missouri State 50-81 in their all-time series. At home in Carbondale, the Salukis have only managed a 20-38 record against the Bears.

With strong performances from individual players, both teams are expected to put on a competitive series. Matt Schark leads the Salukis with 11 home runs and 41 RBIs, while Jaxon Holder and Alec Nigut earned spots on the Preseason All-MVC team. Meanwhile, Missouri State's batting and pitching strengths pose a notable challenge.

Music to the ears of Southern Illinois supporters, the Salukis have excelled in offense, leading the MVC with 51 home runs and a high slugging percentage. The team's continued success under head coach Lance Rhodes, who has spearheaded back-to-back seasons of 40 wins, adds confidence to their campaign this season.

Fans can follow the live action on ESPN Plus, with Luke Martin and Kirk Champion providing televised commentary. Social media updates will be posted on Twitter through @SIU_Baseball.

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