CARBONDALE, Ill. – SIUE baseball scored 11 runs on 13 hits and hits four home runs, but it wasn't enough as SIU Carbondale outslugged the Cougars for a 17-11 win Tuesday at Itchy Jones Stadium.

The Cougars dropped to 24-26 overall. SIUC improved to 36-16.

With four home runs Tuesday, the Cougars have now hit 70 for the season, which is second most in SIUE's Division I era and only trails the 2023 team's 99 homers.

The Cougars opened the scoring with a run in the first. SIUC scored twice in the bottom of the inning and the teams traded runs in each of the first five innings for a 14-10 Saluki lead.

SIUE didn't score in the sixth, while SIUC scored three times in the bottom half for a 17-10 lead. SIUE added a run in the eighth.

Daniel Gierer finished 3-4 with two home runs and a team-high six RBIs. Freshman Trace Harrington turned in his first career three-hit game going 3-3 with two runs scored.

Mack Mitchell was 2-3 with a home run and two RBIs. Ryan Niedzwiedz was 2-4. Kyle Ratliff was 1-2 with a home run.

Brennen Grams (0-1) suffered the loss in two innings of relief.

Matt Schark was 3-4 with two home runs and seven RBIs to lead the Salukis. Gabe Petrucelli and Michael Mylott each had three hits.

The Cougars, who are tied for first place in the Ohio Valley Conference, conclude the regular season with a three-game OVC series at UT Martin beginning Thursday.