Box Score CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois's offense exploded for 14 runs as the Sycamores were unable to contain the Salukis on Saturday afternoon in the 14-3 loss.
 
Indiana State (23-19, 8-9 MVC) was unable to contain Southern Illinois (37-13, 13-4 MVC) at Itchy Jones Stadium in the second game of the series as the Sycamores pitching staff issued eight walks, while Nathan Bandy and Greg Epps both homered to guide SIU to the win.
 
The Sycamores fought to keep the game within reach behind Keegan Watson and Joe Kido RBI singles, while Isaiah Thompson added an RBI double in the top of the seventh to keep ISU within reach. However, the Salukis kept the pressure on late with Epps connecting on the game-ending three-run home run to close out the contest.
 
Seth Gergely (3-for-3) and Isaiah Thompson (2-for-2, walk) reached on all six of their plate appearances to lead the Sycamores offense on the day in the loss. Joe Kido added his second multi-hit of the season to highlight Indiana State's nine hits in the game.
 
Brennyn Cutts (2-3) took the loss after allowing two runs after an inning of work on the mound. Connor Fenlong, Raine Richter, Cameron Holycross, Lane Miller, and Matt Gauer also saw time on the bump for the Sycamores in a staff effort on Saturday.
 
Bandy finished 3-for-4 from the plate and boasted four RBI to lead the Salukis offense on the day, while Kaeber Rog added a pair of RBI doubles as SIU powered its way to the series win.
 
Noah Farmer (6-1) went the distance allowing nine hits and three runs while striking out two in the complete game win.
 
How They Scored

• Southern Illinois took the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second as the Salukis took advantage of a bases-loaded, none out situation to score on Nathan Bandy's RBI single to left center and Jack Rigoni's groundout to second before Connor Fenlong shut the door on the SIU rally.
• The Salukis added three more runs in the bottom of the third with Grey Epps starting the rally with a run-scoring bunt single, while Zack Jenson and Nick Hagedorn added RBI in the inning to take the 5-0 lead after three.
• SIU added another run in the bottom of the fourth as Kaeber Rog connected on an RBI double scoring J.T. Weber to put the score at 6-0.
• The Salukis scored two more in the bottom of the fifth inning with J.T. Weber singling home Nathan Bandy, while Kaeber Rog's RBI double down the right field line scored Weber to make it an 8-0 ballgame.
• Indiana State cracked the scoreboard in the top of the sixth inning as the Sycamores strung together four hits with Keegan Watson and Joe Kido providing RBI singles in the inning to cut the lead down to 8-2.
• Nathan Bandy connected on a three-run home run to left field highlighting the Salukis in the bottom of the sixth as SIU went up 11-2.
• Seth Gergely doubled and Isaiah Thompson singled him home in the top of the seventh inning as ISU cut the lead down to 11-3.
• Greg Epps closed out the contest with a game-ending three-run home run to left field to cap the 14-3 ballgame.

News & Notes

• Seth Gergely posted his second multi-hit game of the weekend and 10th of the season as the redshirt junior singled in each of his first two plate appearances, while doubling in his third. He finished 3-for-3 from the plate in the game.
• Josue Urdaneta ran his on-base streak to seven consecutive games after reaching on a fielder's choice in the top of the sixth inning.
• Joe Kido recorded his second multi-hit game of the season and finished 2-for-3 from the plate on Saturday.
• Isaiah Thompson reached base safely in all three plate appearances in posting his fourth multi-hit game of the season after going 2-for-2 with a double.
• Seth Gergely's double in the contest marked the 38th game this season the Sycamores have hit at least one double in a game.

Up Next
Indiana State and Southern Illinois close the weekend series in Carbondale tomorrow afternoon at Itchy Jones Stadium with first pitch set for 2 p.m. ET. The contest will be carried live on ESPN3 and 105.5 The Legend.
 
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