March 10, 2008

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University (5-5) pounded out a season-high five extra base hits in a 9-2 win over Butler (0-6) earlier today at Abe Martin Field.

SIU earned its first series win, sweeping the Bulldogs in two games.

"I thought we did a lot of things well today," said Saluki head coach Dan Callahan. "We got a quality start on the mound and had some good at-bats at the plate."

The Salukis, who outscored Butler, 17-3, on the series, again took an early lead and never looked back.

SIU put up two runs in each of the first two innings to get a quick 4-0 advantage.

The Dawgs scored their first run with the bases loaded this season when Chris Murphy touched home after Bret Maugeri was hit by a pitch with two outs. On the next play, Adam Hills scored on the first of three errors by Bulldog shortstop Joe Pauley.

Three Salukis, including Owen Mackedon, Scott Elmendorf and Tyler Bullock doubled to key a four-hit second inning. Mackedon scored on Elmendorf's hit and Elmendorf came home on a two-out RBI-single by Mark Kelly.

After adding another run in the sixth, SIU blew the game open when Murphy launched a two-out, three-run homer to push the Saluki lead to 8-0 in the seventh. The home run marked the first of Murphy's career.

SIU put up one more run with the help of an error, single and two passed balls to ice the win in the eighth.

Left-hander Shawn Joy (1-1) set the tone on the mound for the Dawgs. Joy allowed four hits, struck out five and walked none in six scoreless innings. He also retired 11 of the first 13 hitters he faced.

Bryan Bokowy (0-2) took the fall for Butler after giving up five hits and four runs, walking three and striking out five in four innings.

Offensively, Kelly, Murphy and Elmendorf paved the way for SIU. Kelly had a game-high three hits, going 3-for-5 with two RBI, while Murphy went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a homer and three RBI. Elmendorf went 2-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.

The Salukis, who outhit the Bulldogs, 10-7, registered double-digit hits for the third-straight game. Half of SIU's hits went for extra bases, four of which were doubles and one a home run.

SIU, currently on a two-game winning streak, heads to San Antonio, Texas, for its spring break. The Salukis will play five games in the Lonestar State this week, beginning Wednesday versus Buffalo (1 p.m., CST).