Cougars Slip Past Pumas

Box Score

March 16, 2002

         A failed pickoff in the bottom of the eighth helped Southern Illinois University Edwardsville win its Great Lakes Valley Conference opener Saturday against St. Joseph's.
         With Jason Kessler (Mattoon) at first base and Chad Opel (Edwardsville) at third base, Saint Joseph's pitcher Eric Fussell threw the ball away trying to pick off the runner at first, allowing Opel to score without a play for the eventual game-winner.
         SIUE improved to 12-7 overall and 1-0 in the GLVC. Saint Joseph's fell to 10-8-2 and 0-1.
         Saint Joseph's scored twice in the second on a throwing error by Opel. With runners on second a third, Saint Joseph's Jason Negron made it to first on a high throw. In the confusion, SJC's Adam Minth scored from second.
         The Cougars sliced the lead in half in the sixth. Wes Pickering (Springfield, Mo./Glendale) scored on a fielder's choice from Kessler.
         Eric Meyer (Topeka) came into the ballgame for SIUE in the top of the seventh in relief of Nick Seibert (Edwardsville). Meyer struck out four in his 2 1/3 innings of work to improve his season record to 3-0.
         SIUE and Saint Joseph's will play a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m. Sunday. A doubleheader had been schedule for Saturday, but weather conditions forced game time to be delayed.
                  -siue cougars-

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Players Mentioned

#40 Jason Kessler: C; 6' 1"; Junior

#18 Eric Meyer: P; 6' 1"; Senior

#8 Chad Opel: SS; 5' 10"; Senior

#14 Wes Pickering: OF; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#24 Nick Seibert: OF/P; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#40 Jason Kessler
: 6' 1"; Junior
: C

#18 Eric Meyer
: 6' 1"; Senior
: P

#8 Chad Opel
: 5' 10"; Senior
: SS

#14 Wes Pickering
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: OF

#24 Nick Seibert
: 5' 8"; Junior
: OF/P