SIUC is realistic about the upcoming series with Wichita State. The Salukis know it is next to impossible to sweep the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference, but that does not mean the it is not the Salukis’ goal.

It’s always tough to go and play Wichita, senior third baseman Matt Dettman said. Their fans make it hard to play, but I think we can beat Wichita. If we can split or even take three, it will be good in the conference standings.

The Salukis are 6-2 in conference play this season and 12-15 overall. They swept Creighton University and split the four game series last weekend with the University of Northern Iowa.

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The Salukis enter the four-game series this weekend behind the momentum of a 13-2 win against St. Louis University Wednesday at Abe Martin Field.

The winning pitcher in the Wednesday game, senior Chris Schullian, said the Salukis will need to avoid mistakes in order to beat Wichita State.

We definitely need to play good ball, Schullian said. They’re always a good team, and it’s definitely tough to play down there. But it’s fun. When you’ve got that many fans watching you, that’s what baseball is all about.

The Salukis have played well in the last couple of games. Hitters such as senior designated hitter Brad Benson have turned things around at the plate. After going 1-for-13 at Northern Iowa last weekend, he was 2-for-3 with homer against SLU Wednesday.

Though the Salukis have been playing well, the series this weekend will be tough.

The Shockers have a record of 14-3 overall and are ranked 13th in the country, according to a recent coaches poll. Wichita State is yet to be tested in the MVC. This weekend will be the Shockers’ MVC opener.

Because Wichita State has not played a conference game does not mean much. Coach Dan Callahan said a team like Wichita State does not need to prove anything in the conference, and a lack of MVC action will not effect the team’s ability to win games.

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Wichita State is the measuring stick in our conference, Callahan said. They have been for 18 or 20 years. They continue to be. If you want to find out where you are, you better find out what you are going to do against Wichita State.

The Salukis play Friday at Wichita State at 7 p.m. The Saturday doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. and the game Sunday begins at 1 p.m.

The Friday and Saturday games can be heard on WXLT 95.1 FM. The Sunday game can be heard on WCIL 1020 AM. The games can also be heard on the Internet at http://www.siu.edu/^athletic.