CARBONDALE, IL ? The Indiana State Sycamores fell behind 3-0 after two innings and could not get back even as the Southern Illinois Salukis took the opening game of the Missouri Valley Conference season for both teams 7-2 Friday.
Indiana State is now 4-11 overall and 0-1 in the MVC. The Sycamores will play the Salukis at 3 p.m. (ET) Saturday. Southern Illinois is now 9-7 overall and 1-0 in the MVC.
SIU scored three runs on two hits and a Sycamore error in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good. David Hills had a double to left to score two runs while the third run came in on a fielding error by ISU's left-fielder Gary King.
The Sycamores came back with a single run in the top of the third. Pascual Del Real reached after being hit by a pitch, advancing to second when Brian Ramirez grounded out. King followed with a single to left that brought Del Real home but the Sycamores were stopped there.
Southern Illinois added two in the third, one in the fourth and one in the sixth to extend their lead to 7-1 over the Sycamores.
Indiana State was only able to put one more run that coming in the eighth inning when Nick Ciolli singled to right with one out bringing Ramirez home.
The Sycamores finished with two runs on six hits. King was 3-for-4 at the plate, all singles, while Chris Schmidt, Nick Ciolli and Pascual Del Real each had a single. The Salukis plated seen runs on 10 hits. Adam Hills had two doubles, Tyler Lairson a double and a single, Greg Maugeri two singles, Dean Cademartori a double, and Mark Kelly, Aaron Roberts and Lou Johanns had a single each.
Michael Manus (0-4) started for the Sycamores and went 2.2 innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits while striking out one and walking six. Matt Shelton took over with two outs in the third, holding the Salukis to two runs, both earned, on six hits while striking out two and walking six.
Cody Adams (2-1) went eight innings for Southern Illinois, giving up two runs, both earned, on six hits while striking out seven and walking one. Daniel Wells worked the ninth, not allowing a run or a hit while striking out none and walking none.
