FROM CBB NEWS SOURCES
WICHITA, Kan. – Lefthander Shawn Joy twirled a complete game shutout, as Southern Illinois University (20-16, 4-7) stunned No. 5 Wichita State (29-7, 8-3), 3-0, earlier today at Eck Stadium.
A native of Topeka, Kan., Joy allowed only five hits, struck out five and walked none in the best game of his career to date. He also became the first Saluki to throw a complete game in 36 games this season.
“Shawn was unbelievable today,” said Saluki head coach Dan Callahan. “He had great command of three pitches and kept them off-balance.”
Joy had WSU miffed at the plate all day. Only eight Shockers reached base against him, with only three making it into scoring position. Joy also got Kyle Sisney and Clinton McKeever to hit into huge inning-ending double plays in the fifth and seventh.
Joy later retired six of the last seven WSU hitters of the game.
Righthander Aaron Shafer was equally impressive on the mound for WSU, but the Salukis got to him in the seventh.
Shafer struck out six of the first 10 hitters he faced and gave up just two hits in six shutout innings.
But, the Salukis used three singles and a walk to push across three runs in the seventh. Adam Hills drew a one-out walk and went to second when Mark Kelly reached on a fielder’s choice. Bret Maugeri blooped a single into left field and Hills scored. Tyler Bullock then ripped a base hit up the middle to plate Kelly. Dean Cademartori followed with a hit to left to score Maugeri, giving SIU a 3-0 lead.
Joy, who now stands at 4-2 on the year, twirled the second complete game of his career. The last Saluki pitcher to throw a complete game shutout was Cody Adams — vs. Valparaiso on Apr. 8, 2007.
Shafer fell to 6-2. He also went the distance, giving up five hits and three runs to go along with 12 strikeouts.
Offensively, Maugeri went 2-for-4 with a run scored and one RBI to lead SIU.
SIU shutout the Shockers in Wichita during the regular-season for only the second time in school history. The last time the Salukis accomplished that feat was in 1990. The 1990 team was the last to win a Missouri Valley Conference title and make it to the NCAA Tournament.
In addition, SIU became the first conference team to shutout WSU on its home field in five years. Evansville was the last to blank the Shockers in 2003.
SIU, which snapped a five-game losing skid in Valley play, concludes its series against WSU at 1 p.m., CST, Sunday. Righthander David Kington (1-2) will start on the mound.
