April 18, 2008

Box Score

By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com

WICHITA, Kan. - Lefthander Rob Musgrave allowed just four hits and struck out seven in a seven-inning shutout to lead No. 5 Wichita State University (29-6, 8-2) to a 10-0 win over Southern Illinois (19-16, 3-7) earlier tonight in front of a crowd of 5,628 at Eck Stadium.

WSU, which torched Saluki starting righthander Cody Adams for nine runs and seven hits in three innings, disposed of SIU in less than two hours due to the Missouri Valley Conference's 10-run rule.

The Shockers, already ahead, 2-0, after putting up a pair of runs in the first inning, exploded for seven runs to put the game out of reach in the third.

Twelve WSU hitters came to the plate in a nightmarish inning that started with Adams hitting Andy Dirks with a pitch. Kenny Williams, Jr. then reached on a fielder's choice and stole second. Conor Gillaspie followed with a single and Williams, Jr. went to third. Williams stole second and Ryan Jones walked to load the bases with one out.

Dusty Coleman's ensuing single scored both Williams, Jr. and Gillaspie. Bret Bascue kept things going by reaching on a fielder's choice and Jones scored. Two more runs came home by way of a Tyler Weber single. Weber, after going to third with the help of a fielder's choice and throwing error by Adam Hills, scored on a wild pitch. Hill later scored easily on a wild pitch to extend WSU's lead to 9-0.

WSU added one more run in the fourth inning to polish off the win.

Musgrave, now 5-1, retired the Dawgs in order in the third, fourth and seventh innings. At one time, he sat down eight in a row between the third and fifth frames. It was Musgrave's first shutout in nine starts this season.

Offensively, WSU had eight hits with Gillaspie and Jones adding two hits and two runs each. The Shockers stole a perfect 9-of-9 bases, as well.

The Salukis have dropped seven of eight games in MVC play, including the last five in a row. The last time SIU was on a five-game losing streak in conference play was in 2001.

SIU resumes its series against WSU on Saturday at 2 p.m., CST. Lefthander Shawn Joy (3-2) will start on the mound.