Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three SIUE pitchers combined to shut out Samford Friday as SIUE earned a 1-0 win in 11 innings to open the three game nonconference series.
The Cougars improved to 11-29. Samford is 24-19. The shutout is the first of the year for SIUE.
Freshman Collin Baumgartner, making his first weekend start, allowed just six hits over six innings. He stuck out three. Brock Fulkerson (2-1) worked four innings allowing two hits. He struck out six. Mason McReaken earned his fifth save of the year with a scoreless 11th inning.
"All three guys tonight were outstanding," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "Collin did exactly what we needed. He showed a lot of poise out of a young freshman. Brock gave us four strong innings and then we turn the ball over to Mason and he closed it out."
Aaron Jackson opened the 11th inning with a double down the right field line. Jordan Ross sacrificed Jackson to third. Samford responded by bringing the infield in. Eric Giltz then singled through the middle to bring in Jackson with the winning run.
Wyatt Burns (3-3) allowed the run and suffered the loss. He worked 4 1/3 innings. He gave up five hits and struck out five. Burns followed starter Cody Shelton who threw 6 2/3 scoreless innings. He walked one and struck out seven.
"This was a pitcher's duel right from the onset," Lyons said. "We knew that was their strength-the guys on the mound. Shelton did a really nice job of minimizing any type of effort we had to get going."
The Cougars outhit the Bulldogs 10-8. Giltz was 2 for 5 with the RBI to lead the Cougars. Samford second baseman Taylor Garris was 2 for 4 to lead the Bulldogs.
"That's a big win for our team," Lyons added. "It was great to play good baseball in a tight game. Both teams had opportunities to win and we were able to execute in the 11th and come out on top. And what a great effort by our guys on the mound."
The Cougars and Bulldogs will conclude the series Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch in game one is set for 2 p.m.
