April 3, 2005

Final Stats

By Creighton Sports Information

OMAHA, Neb. - A two-run single by Chris McCulloch in the second inning was enough for Southern Illinois, as the Salukis avoided a sweep by winning the final game of the three-game series, 3-1, over Creighton. The Missouri Valley Conference loss was Creighton's first of the season as CU now stands 5-1 in the MVC and 22-7 overall. SIU improves to 17-11 and 4-2 in the Valley.

Grant Gerrard started the second inning with a single up the middle, followed by a single through the right side of the infield by Nathan Emrick. Erik Alvarez moved both runners up a base with a sacrifice bunt before McCulloch delivered his two-RBI single. The runs for SIU snapped an 18-inning drought without a run for the Salukis.

Creighton struck for a run of its own in the bottom half of the second inning. Tony Daniel led-off with a double down the left field line, his third two-bagger of the series. Gabe Lapito lined a single that scored Daniel. SIU turned its first of four doubleplays of the game to end the inning.

McCulloch started another rally in the fifth inning with a lead-off single. A double to left field by Hunter Harrigan plated McCulloch and gave SIU its 3-1 lead that would stand.

Bryan Rueger picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 5 2/3 innings. Rueger gave up eight hits and walked two. Jason Chavez threw 1 1/3 innings before being replaced by Adam Snyder.

Snyder cruised to his third save of the season, striking out three of the six batters he faced.

Adam Schaecher (2-1) was tagged with his first loss of the season. The junior threw 4 1/3 innings, striking out three but allowing three earned runs.

Trevor Benson, Brandon Bird and Scott Reese held SIU off the scoreboard the remainder of the game. In the series, CU's bullpen did not allow a run to the Salukis.

Creighton out-hit SIU 10-8, marking the first time the Bluejays lost a game when out-hitting the opponent (14-1) this year.