Dawgs best efforts fall short to Shockers

By Aaron Graff

 

The Salukis had only one hit Thursday, but managed to force extra innings against last year’s Missouri Valley Conference Tournament champions.

The eighth-seeded Salukis (26-31, 4-17) lost to the fourth-seeded Wichita State University Shockers (31-27, 13-8) 2-1 for the fourth time this season. The 12th inning loss ended their season in the MVC Tournament.

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“I’m unbelievably proud of our effort,” coach Ken Henderson said. “We played as hard as we’ve played all year long. It’s kind of fitting that’s the way it would go because that’s the way it’s went all year long.

The Salukis lost 13 one-run games this season, seven of which were in extra innings.

SIU junior left-handed pitcher Aaron Hauge had not pitched for more than two weeks before starting Thursday.

Hauge gave up one hit in six innings. The lone hit was a fourth inning single then a three-base error by freshman center fielder Dyllin Mucha to give the Shockers a 1-0 lead.

“It was do or die for us,” Hauge said. “We just had to throw everything we had out there and try to play together as a team to try and keep us in the tournament longer.”

In the bottom half of the fourth inning, Saluki senior shortstop Jake Welch scored on a sacrifice fly from senior designated hitter Cody Daily to tie the game at 1-1.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle Pauly relieved Hauge after he walked the first batter of the seventh inning. Pauly threw four scoreless innings and struck out five batters including MVC Player of the Year, junior first baseman Casey Gillaspie.

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“It’s my claim to fame right now,” Pauly said. “It was more cool because I got (Gillaspie) out on the curveball. It looked like he was pretty fooled up there. It looked like he was expecting a fastball.”

The Salukis were able to get a runner to third base in the 10th inning, but failed to score.

The Shockers had runners on the corners with one out in the 12th and were able to score on an attempted double play off senior pitcher Lee Weld. It was Weld’s second loss of the season.

Henderson said he would continue working during the summer. Henderson also said he plans on moving Pauly to the starting rotation next season.

“We really don’t get a break,” Henderson said. “Recruiting is nonstop. As a staff we’ll continue to recruit hard starting tomorrow.”

The Salukis had 13 seniors on the roster and will likely lose junior right-handed pitcher Sam Coonrod to the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“We really wanted to make a run with these guys,” Pauly said. “(The seniors) have been through a lot. It’s one of the best senior classes I’ve been around. I wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

Aaron Graff can be contacted at [email protected], @Aarongraff_DE on Twitter or (815)-483-3781

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