The buses returned to Carbondale, and the Saluki Baseball team was ready for their home opener on Feb. 25. The RedHawks of Miami University Ohio came to Itchy Jones Stadium for the afternoon contest. The Dawgs sent 10 pitchers to the mound, but could not find a steady arm to rely on, giving up 11 runs in seven innings. The struggling Salukis fell victim to the mercy rule and walked away with an 11-0 loss.
The first inning was underway, and RHP Blake Kimball started for the Dawgs, and the righty faced early trouble after giving up a pair of runs to begin the game. The Salukis came up in the bottom half, and right fielder Kye Watson knocked a single up the middle, but that was all the home team could muster.
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The second inning was one of two where the RedHawks did not score, as Kimball sent them down efficiently.
Second baseman Henry Kufa kicked off the third inning with a laser off the left field wall, getting the Salukis in scoring position. The Dawgs continued to fall victim to the RedHawks’ strong pitching and could not cash in their run-scoring hopes.
In the fourth inning, the Dawgs had runners on first and third after a single and a double, but once again could not get the important hit to drive them in.
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Catcher Andrew Savage got the final hit for the Salukis in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the damage was done. SIU found itself on the wrong side of the 10-run mercy rule, and the game was cut short at a score of 11-0.
With this loss, SIU is now 1-6, and the RedHawks jump to a 7-1 record. The Dawgs will be back in action on Feb. 27-29 as they play a three-game home series against Seton Hall University.
Sports Reporter Noah Petschke can be reached at [email protected]
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