Daily Egyptian

Jack Robinson

After Saluki sophomore pitcher Sam Coonrod pitched 7.1 innings, struck out five batters and allowed two runs, the team ended its seven-game losing streak.

The SIU baseball team started it’s weekend series against Eastern Kentucky University with a 6-2 win. Coonrod  started on the mound for SIU against EKU junior pitcher Brent Cobb. Cobb pitched 7.1 innings, struck out four batters and allowed six runs in the loss.

The Colonels acted first in the top of the third inning. The inning’s scoring started when EKU freshman infielder Kenny Hostrander hit a ball to shortstop to reach first base. Then after EKU sophomore outfielder Demetrius Moorer was walked, EKU freshman infielder Doug Teegarden hit a double down the left field line to score both Moorer and Hostrander to lead 2-0.

Those would be the only runs EKU would see.

The Salukis got their first runs on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. SIU senior infielder Wes Neece was the first Saluki to get on base after he singled to center field. Then after Saluki junior short stop Ryan Rosthenhausler was walked SIU junior infielder Jake Welch hit a single to score both Neece and Rosthenhausler.

Two at bats later, Saluki junior catcher Matt Jones singled up the middle, which scored Welch for the final run of the inning as Southern Illinois led the game 3-2.

The next runs came in the bottom of the eighth inning after Neece managed a clutch hit. He ripped the ball to the right side and scored both SIU junior outfielder Donny Duschinsky and junior infielder Ryan Casillas. In the next at bat, SIU senior outfielder Nick Johnson scored off of a wild pitch thrown by EKU junior pitcher Matt Lynch to enlarge the SIU lead 6-2.

The Salukis put junior pitcher Todd Eaton on the mound to start the top of the ninth inning and put the Colonels away. Eaton faced three batters, got one strikeout and two force outs at first base to grab his third save of the season.

The Salukis next game against EKU is 2:30 p.m. Friday, March 29 at Abe Martin Field.

Jack Robinson can be reached at [email protected] or 536-3311 ext.269