SIU travelled to Cape Giradeau, Missouri to play their arch-nemesis Southeastern Missouri State University in a contest on the baseball field. SIU came out on top in a closely contested affair, 3-2. 

In the first inning, Southern Illinois managed one run after senior Cody Cleveland touched home for the Salukis. The Dawgs scored again at the top of the second after junior Ryan Rodriguez hit a home run near left field. 

However, at the bottom of the second, SEMO put themselves on the board, only managing one run. At the start of the third inning, the score stood 2-1. 

Both teams were kept scoreless in the third. 

At the top of the fourth, the Salukis scored another home run. This time, it was junior Nick Hagedorn’s turn. He helped the Salukis gain a 3-1 lead. 

The Redhawks fought back at the bottom of the fifth with a run to make the score 3-2. SIU held them to just one run in that inning, cementing their advantage. 

Neither team scored again through the next four innings, leaving SIU as the winner of the contest. 

Sophomore Nathan Bandy was the player who helped Cleveland touch home, giving him the only other RBI besides Hagedorn and Rodriguez. Senior J.T. Weber and junior Kaeber Rog also cracked the bat this game (Weber once, Rog twice). 

The Salukis will play their next series against Siena on Thursday and Friday, April 14-15. These games will be held at Itchy Jones Stadium at 6 p.m. both nights. 

Sports Reporter Cole Daily can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at cdaily_de. To stay up to date on all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter

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