Following a disappointing series loss to Illinois over the weekend, Saluki baseball traveled to Edwardsville for a matchup with SIUE Cougars on Tuesday evening.

SIU was too much for Edwardsville (5-13) as it took the 8-3 win and improved its all-time series record to 24-9 over the Cougars.

The Cougars struck first in the contest when a man reached on a single, followed by a fielding error that allowed the run to score.

The Salukis struck back in the second with a big inning, as senior first baseman Logan Blackfan reached on a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball.

Then, senior designated hitter Drew Curtis drove in Blackfan with a double that tied the game at one run each. With a walk and fielder’s choice, SIU loaded up the bases for a chance to drive in more runs.

The team followed up with another walk and a sacrifice fly from junior second baseman Nikola Vasic for two more runs. With a throwing error and a single from Blackfan, the Salukis stretched their lead to 6-1 before the end of the inning.

SIUE responded in the bottom half of the second with a solo home run that narrowed Southern’s lead to four.

SIU put up two more runs in the third with back-to-back singles, followed by a throwing error that advanced a runner home and to third base.

Vasic once again brought in a run on a sacrifice fly that opened the team’s lead to 8-2. He finished 1-3 with two RBI.

The Salukis struggled to score for the rest of the game, as they went the final six innings without scoring while the Cougars added one last run in the sixth. However, the early-inning rallies were all the Salukis needed to claim the 8-3 victory.

Sophomore relief pitcher Dylan Givens (1-0) earned his first win of the season, as he gave up four hits and only one earned run. He also struck out three batters in three innings of work.

The Salukis (10-11) will return to Itchy Jones Stadium on Friday to take on UC Irvine in a three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Senior starting pitcher Michael Baird will likely get the start for Southern.

Sports reporter Dillon Gilliland can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @DillonGilliland.

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