March 30, 2011

Box Score

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - SIUE baseball scored four runs in the seventh inning Wednesday to come-from-behind and defeat Arkansas State in the finale of a two-game series at SimmonsCooper Complex.

"It was a great team effort," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "I like the way we played and the way we came back."

Trailing 5-2 heading into the inning, Thad Hawkins was hit by a pitch to start the inning. Mike Swinnen sacrificed Hawkins to second. SIUE then rattled off five consecutive hits to score four times. James Vazquez singled to drive home Thad Hawkins. Mitch Matecki drove home a run with a double. Devin Caldwell and Zach Hawkins each followed with run scoring singles to put the Cougars on top 6-5.

"That is something we haven't been able to do this year. We haven't been able to come back when we get down," Collins added. "We are starting to show signs of believing in ourselves. We hung with it today and put a rally together."

Matecki led the way offensively for the Cougars going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored. Vazquez was 2 for 5 with two RBIs. Travis Becherer was also 2 for 5.

"Mitch is a good hitter," Collins said. "He had a real big day today and had a lot of key hits."

Arkansas State, 12-15, scored single runs in the first and fourth innings to go up 2-0. The Cougars got an RBI single from Chase Green in the fourth inning to cut the lead to 2-1. Green's hit scored Caldwell who reached on an error earlier in the inning.

The Red Wolves took advantage of an error to score three times in the fifth innings to extend their lead to 5-1.

Becherer singled with one out in the bottom of the inning and scored on a double by Vazquez to make it 5-2.

Intentionally planning to use multiple pitchers, SIUE used seven pitchers Wednesday. Josh Malin started and tossed two innings. Travis Felax, 2-0, earned the win, throwing a scoreless eighth inning. He struck out one. The Cougars used three pitchers in the ninth inning. After pitching a perfect eighth inning, Ryan Daniels started the inning, allowing a hit. Tony Schaeffer then faced two hitters. Thad Hawkins faced one hitter, getting Todd Baumgartner to pop out to end the game, to earn his second save in as many days.

"We didn't want to burn any of our pitchers, Collins said. "At the end, we tried to use the guys we thought could get us to the finish line."

The Cougars continue a season-long 13-game home stand when they host Morehead State Friday. It is the start of a three-game series. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.