The SIUC baseball team opened its four-game home series this weekend by dropping two of the first three games to the University of Evansville.

The Purple Aces opened a doubleheader Sunday with a 6-5 win over the Salukis in game one. SIUC led 3-2 heading into the fourth inning, but the Aces scored three runs in the fourth and added one run in the fifth for a 6-3 lead. The Salukis rallied to 6-5 in the sixth but could not complete the comeback.

Senior David Piazza suffered the loss for the Salukis, giving up four earned runs and eight hits while striking out four in a seven innings for the complete game. Senior catcher Cory Schrank went 3-for-4 to lead the Saluki lineup, while sophomore shortstop Steve Ruggeri went 2-for-4.

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The Salukis opened the series with an impressive 15-6 win over Evansville Friday afternoon. SIUC scored at least one run in seven of their eight innings at the plate, including five in the third and four in the fourth.

Junior centerfielder Joe Schley led the Salukis at the plate by going 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Seniors Matt Dettman, Schrank and Carl Kochan and sophomore Dave Pohlman each smacked home runs in the contest. Senior righthander Chris Schullian went the distance on the mound for the Salukis, giving up six earned runs and striking out seven while improving to 3-3 on the year.

Evansville earned revenge Saturday with an 8-4 win. The Aces scored two runs in the third and four in the fourth to break open a scoreless game.

Schrank went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while Dettman went 3-for-5. Sophomore Jay Schwerman fell to 1-3 on the year for SIUC, allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings. Junior Dave Condon allowed just one run in 3 2/3 innings of relief while sophomore Jim Pecoraro gave up the final run in two innings.