JONESBORO, Ark. – Southern Illinois University (14-11) erupted for seven runs on eight hits in the fourth inning to fuel a 10-3 win over Arkansas State (14-15) earlier tonight at Tomlinson Stadium.
The Salukis roughed up ASU starting lefthander Jett Jones for seven-straight hits in their biggest inning of the year.
Scott Elmendorf led things off with a single to center and went to second on a base hit by Mark Kelly. Bret Maugeri followed with a bunt single to load the bases with no outs.
Aaron Roberts then dug in and cleared the bases when he slugged a triple over the head of Indian center fielder Derrick Coleman. Back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Tyler Lairson and Dean Cademartori, and a one-out RBI-single by Chris Murphy gave SIU a 7-0 lead.
SIU’s seven runs and eight hits were the most in an inning through 25 games this season.
Saluki starter Andrew Dunn kept ASU’s offense in check, retiring 11 of the first 13 hitters he faced.
ASU, however, did manage to get a pair of two-out runs off Dunn in the bottom of the fourth. Lawson Hipps singled and went to second on a hit by Guy Brown. Both runners came around to score on an ensuing double by Murray Watts, allowing the Indians to slice the lead to 7-2.
SIU tacked on another run in the sixth and two more in the ninth to ice the 10-3 win.
Dunn (2-3) was credited with the win after giving up four hits and two runs in five innings. He also struck out three, walked one and recorded 10 groundball outs.
Jett (1-5) suffered his fifth loss of the season. He allowed nine hits and seven runs, and struck out three in three innings. All of Jett’s runs were earned.
Offensively, SIU pounded out 15 hits on the night, with eight of nine starters getting a hit. Roberts led the way, going 3-for-5 with a run scored, triple and three RBI. Elmendorf also had three hits, while Adam Hills, Maugeri and Lairson followed with two each. Maugeri’s hitting streak now stands at 12 games.
SIU opens a four-game homestand when it hosts Wisconsin-Milwaukee in a three-game series, beginning Friday.
