Six-Run Rally Lifts Cougars

Box Score

April 16, 2009

         INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville rallied for six runs in the ninth inning Thursday for a 7-1 victory at Butler.
         The SIUE baseball team won its third straight game and improved to 9-21 overall. The Cougars now head to Cape Girardeau, Mo., for a three-game series with future Ohio Valley Conference rival Southeast Missouri State. Friday's game will be broadcast live with a video feed on KFVS12.com.
         The game also can be heard on WSIE FM 88.7 with Joe Pott calling the play-by-play. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Capaha Field. The single games Saturday and Sunday also will be carried by WSIE FM 88.7.
         SIUE's victory against Butler at first looked like a pitcher's duel. SIUE starter Luke Vine went five innings and gave up one run on two hits while striking out eight Bulldog batters. Vine's only run was allowed in the first inning when he walked the bases loaded.
         Josh Street tied up the game in the fourth with his 10th home run of the season. He became only the 15th player in school history to hit 10 or more in a season and the first since Nick Seibert and Dave Crouthers achieved it during the 2001 season.
         Butler pitcher Jeff Sinkiewicz, 0-5, would throw eight strong innings for the Bulldogs but ran into big trouble in the ninth.
         Michael Hopkins doubled to the gap in left center to leadoff the inning. After Zach Hawkins grounded out, Connor Haxel beat out a pinch-hit bunt single.
         Ryan Wiggs would provide what was to be the eventual game-winning hit, a single which scored Hopkins. Brett Keeler would double home Haxel and Wiggs. After a pitching change, the Cougars, which would outhit the Bulldogs 11-3, added three runs more as Mitch Matecki doubled home a run and Street doubled home two more. Street now leads the team with 42 runs batted in.
         Andrew Beatty picked up the win in relief of Vine and Davis Scott, who went two scoreless innings. Beatty improved to 1-4.
                  -siue cougars-

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#32 Andrew Beatty: P; 6' 1"; Senior

#44 Zach Hawkins: 3B; 6' 2"; Freshman

#7 Connor Haxel: OF; 6' 1"; Junior

#35 Michael Hopkins: OF/1B; 6' 2"; Junior

#3 Brett Keeler: C/3B; 5' 9"; Freshman

#8 Mitch Matecki: SS/INF; 5' 11"; Freshman

#5 Josh Street: 2B; 5' 9"; Senior

#55 Luke Vine: P; 6' 3"; Junior

#12 Ryan Wiggs: SS/2B; 5' 8"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#32 Andrew Beatty
: 6' 1"; Senior
: P

#44 Zach Hawkins
: 6' 2"; Freshman
: 3B

#7 Connor Haxel
: 6' 1"; Junior
: OF

#35 Michael Hopkins
: 6' 2"; Junior
: OF/1B

#3 Brett Keeler
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: C/3B

#8 Mitch Matecki
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: SS/INF

#5 Josh Street
: 5' 9"; Senior
: 2B

#55 Luke Vine
: 6' 3"; Junior
: P

#12 Ryan Wiggs
: 5' 8"; Junior
: SS/2B