Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University (SIU) set a new school and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament record by hitting 10 home runs in a single game. Despite this achievement, SIU lost to the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) with a score of 19-17 in the second round of the MVC Tournament.

The Salukis managed to hit eight home runs within the first four innings and finished with a total of 16 hits, scoring at least one run in six different innings. They scored eight runs alone in the third inning but could not overcome UIC's lead despite their efforts.

Michael Mylott led SIU's performance with three home runs and five RBIs, including a notable 460-foot homer. Cecil Lofton contributed two home runs, including a grand slam during his six-RBI performance. John Lemm also hit two homers and drove in three runs.

Gabe Petrucelli, Jaxon Holder, and Matt Schark added to the tally with their own home runs. Schark’s solo shot marked his 24th of the season, setting a new all-time Southern Illinois record for career home runs.

The game saw both teams combine for 36 runs on 36 hits, with UIC making an impressive comeback from being down 12-4 after three innings. The Flames scored 15 runs between the fourth and seventh innings, eventually taking control of the game.

Southern Illinois used six pitchers throughout the match but could not contain UIC’s offense. Gavan Wernsing took the loss after allowing four runs over just over an inning of work.

For UIC, Thomas Curry hit a home run contributing four RBIs while Luke Nowak had five hits including two doubles and drove in three more. The Flames ended up with 20 hits across six different innings.

In the ninth inning, Mylott’s third homer brought SIU closer at 19-17 but they fell short as UIC retired the final three batters to end the contest.

This match marked SIU's highest-scoring postseason game since 1990. Their next challenge is against Murray State on Thursday evening in an elimination game for Southern Illinois.