March 21, 2008

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Cody Adams allowed just two runs and struck out seven in eight sparkling innings to lead Southern Illinois University (9-7, 1-0) to a 7-2 win over Indiana State (4-11, 0-1) earlier today in its Missouri Valley Conference opener at Abe Martin Field.

SIU won its conference opener for the seventh consecutive year, improving to 10-4 in such games under head coach Dan Callahan.

"Cody did a great job out there for us today and it was nice to open conference play with a win," said Callahan. "We were also able to give Cody some early run support to work with."

SIU took an early 3-0 lead when it loaded the bases in the second.

Lou Johanns reached on a fielder's choice and went to second on an ensuing single by Tyler Lairson. Scott Elmendorf drew a two-out walk, before Adam Hills doubled home Johanns and Lairson. Elmendorf also came home on the play thanks to an error by Sycamore left fielder Gary King.

The Salukis tacked on two more runs in the third when Cademartori delivered a one-out, RBI-double and later stole home to push the lead to 5-1.

SIU scored once more in the fourth and sixth innings to cap the 7-2 win.

Adams (2-1) tossed six scoreless innings, as the Sycamores could only manufacture one run against him in each of the third and eighth frames. He also retired 11 of 13 hitters between the second and fifth innings.

Michael Manus (0-4) suffered the loss for ISU. Manus gave up four hits and five runs, walked six and struck out one in just 2.2 innings. Sycamore pitchers walked a total of 10 on the day.

Offensively, SIU outhit the Trees, 10-6. Hills led the way, going 2-for-4 with two doubles, a walk and three RBI. Mark Kelly and Lairson also had two hits.

King had a game-high three hits for ISU.

SIU and ISU resume their series on Saturday at 2 p.m., CST. Left-hander Shawn Joy (1-2) will start on the mound for the Dawgs.