Some late-inning heroics proved to be the downfall for SIU baseball.

A three-run double in the bottom of the ninth by St. John’s junior catcher Troy Dixon off junior pitcher Anthony Shimkus gave St. John’s a 4-1 victory.

Thomas Hackmeir (2-0, 0.00 ERA) got the win for the Red Storm after pitching two innings of shutout ball. Sophomore pitcher Jacob Williams (0-2, 3.48 ERA) took the loss for the Salukis. 

“It was just one of those overcast days where we didn’t come out with a lot of energy and it showed,” junior first baseman Logan Blackfan said. “We couldn’t string together good at-bats even though our pitchers did pretty good today.” 

SIU got another solid outing from their starting rotation as junior pitcher Chad Whitmer gave up only one run on five hits and striking out two in five innings of work.

The Saluki offense was shut down down by his counterpart Joe Nellis (0-2 4.38 ERA), who gave up one run on three hits while striking out three in six innings. 

“We didn’t have very good plate discipline today,” said coach Ken Henderson. “We didn’t do a very good job or swinging at good pitches and got away from the basics.”

SIU scored its only run in the first inning when Blackfan doubled to center on a 1-1 count to score junior infielder Connor Kopach.

That was just one of four Saluki hits.

The Dawgs wrap up the series again St. John’s at noon Sunday at Itchy Jones Stadium as sophomore Michael Baird (2-1, 1.45 ERA) takes the mound. 

“Baird’s been a great pitcher for us lately so we gotta come out tomorrow and play well behind him,” Blackfan said. “We haven’t played our best baseball this series so we’re hoping to do a better job tomorrow.” 

Ted Ward can be reach at [email protected] or 618-534-3303