From my standpoint, Illinois’ game against SIU at Rent One Park in Marion, Illinois looked like a game of big innings. Unfortunately, the Salukis had one more of them than the Illini did.
Southern had 5-0 lead thanks to a four run fourth inning when Blake Fairchild came on and just couldn’t get anybody out. Two innings later, the Illini came up with a rally of their own, This one was a six run doozy in the sixth. The good guys batted around in the order for this inning. Base hits by Joe Bonadonna and Wille Argo, doubles by Casey McMurray and Josh Parr plus a couple hits batsmen and a wild pitch all accounted for the six runs. That gave the Illini a one run lead.
Unfortunately, the Salukis hadn’t given up. On four hits, they scored 4 more runs in the eighth giving them a 9-6 lead and the final score.
Even by just looking at box score, it easy to see that Illinois had issues with fielding tonight. Of the 9 runs scored by SIU tonight, only three were earned. Illinois had three errors all of costly not to mention a passed ball on a dropped third strike.
Josh Parr was 2 for 4 with a double and a rbi.
Next up: Minnesota Golden Gophers this weekend at home