The beauty of Saluki baseball

By Gus Bode

It was a sunny and clear afternoon at Abe Martin Field.’ So whether you were recovering from Players Ball or looking to avoid hibernaion because March Madness is void of Salukis, Sunday was a perfect day for a ball game.

And the SIU baseball team delivered.

The Salukis completed the sweep of Northern Iowa with a 4-3 win as Southern won its third straight one-run game.’ In fact, each game of the series brought to the table a different way of winning a game.

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In Friday’s 8-7 win, each team performed its own comedy of errors before a walk-off walk (a headline writer’s dream) ended the game.’ In the 5-4 win on Saturday, SIU erased a 4-0 deficit by chipping away and overcoming the Panthers with a two-run bottom of the eighth.’ In Sunday’s finale, the Salukis withheld a charge from UNI as it was able to preserve a 4-0 lead, escaping with a 4-3 win as Bryant George picked up the save.

The beautiful weather, and the baseball game that came with it, brought out a pretty good crowd, especially on The Hill.’ Before I graduate, I hope to take in a game at The Hill and take in Saluki baseball in a different light.

And kudos to the Saluki student-athletes, administrators and coaches who attended the games over the weekend.’ Saluki football season kicks off Monday with the team’s first spring practice, and I’d like to find out why defensive coordinator Bubba Schweigert has his right arm in a sling … among other important things.

In the end, there is nothing better than taking in a baseball game in the bright sunshine.’ Especially when it results in a ‘W’ for the home team.

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