May 14, 2011

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE swept a baseball double header from Eastern Illinois Saturday at Simmons Baseball Complex on the SIUE campus. The Cougars defeated the Panthers 10-1 in the opener and 2-1 in the nightcap.

"We won the series in one day," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "I am pleased with the team. It was a good day for us. The weather wasn't very nice but we came out and played well."

SIUE used a pair of two out hits in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Mitch Matecki reached on an infield single to the right side, before scoring on a double by Devin Caldwell. Matecki made it 2-0 in the third inning with a sacrifice fly to left to score James Vazquez.

Caldwell ripped a two-run double down the left field line in the fifth to extend SIUE's lead to 4-0.

The Panthers got on the board in the seventh inning. Ben Thoma led off the inning with a double then scored two hitters later on a ground out by Tyler Schweigert.

Zach Hawkins pushed the SIUE lead back to four runs with a two-out solo home run in the seventh. The Cougars then scored five times in the eighth inning for the final margin. Travis Becherer had a 2-run double in the inning. Matecki added a two-run triple. Caldwell added his fourth RBI of the day with a groundout.

Matecki was 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the opener. Caldwell was 2 for 5 with four RBIs. Vazquez, Becherer and Chase Green each had two hits in the win for the Cougars, who out hit EIU 13-5.

Nick Priessman was 2 for 4 to lead the Panthers at the plate. Mike Hoekstra allowed six runs on nine hits over seven innings in the loss.

Travis Felax tossed 6 2/3 innings to improve to 4-2. He allowed one run on four hits and struck out four.

"Travis was real good today," Collins added. "He is a strike thrower and doesn't make many bad pitches."

Josh Malin, 5-4, tossed his third complete game of the year in game two. Malin allowed just the run on three hits. He struck out four.

"Josh did a nice job," Collins said of his senior starter. "Seven innings and he wins the game."

It was EIU that took the first lead. The Panthers had the bases loaded in the third when EIU shortstop Cam Strang grounded into a fielder's choice to score Ryan Dineen. The realy throw to first was wide, and Gerik Wallstein tried to score as well, but was thrown out at the plate by Joel Greatting.

The Cougars answered with two runs on four hits in the fourth inning. Zach Hawkins and Brett Keeler each had RBI-singles in the inning.

Zach Hawkins and Keeler were each 1 for 2 with the RBI. Becherer and Greatting each had two hits in the win.

SIUE and EIU will play the final game of the three-game series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Collins said he liked his chances in the finale.

"The momentum into tomorrow is (starting pitcher) Spencer Patton on the mound."

SIUE will honor its four seniors prior to Sunday's game.