SIUE Earns OVC Series Win Over Redhawks

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE scored three times in the bottom of the first inning Sunday and held on for a 3-2 win to earn the Ohio Valley Conference baseball series win over the Redhawks.

The Cougars improved to 3-3 in OVC play and 6-10 overall. SEMO fell to 11-9 overall and 2-4 in the OVC.

"This was a really tight, hard-fought win today," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We held on. That's a really big win for us."

The Redhawks threatened right off the bat. SIUE starter Cameron Prayer loaded the bases with one out in the first inning on three walks. Prayer left with an injury and was replaced by Ryan Byrd who retired the next two hitters to keep SEMO off the board.

Jack Rigoni, Eric Giltz and Dustin Woodcock opened the bottom of the first inning with consecutive singles to load the bases for SIUE. Raul Elguezabal hit a sacrifice fly to the warning track in right to bring in Rigoni and Justin Perkins followed a with a two-run double to left field to put the Cougars up 3-0.

The Redhawks score their only two runs in the sixth with a pair of hits. Hunter Southerland and Garrett Stephens picked up RBIs in the inning.

Byrd allowed two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings of relief. He struck out two and improved to 1-1 with the win.

"Ryan Byrd did a great job," Lyons said. "He held on, giving us 5 2/3. He gave us the opportunity to win."

Chris Robinson threw two scoreless innings, striking out three in relief. Braydon Bone, Effingham graduate, worked the ninth inning, allowing a walk and a hit. He struck out one and earned his second save of the year.

"Chris Robinson and Braydon Bone did a good job answering the bell for us," Lyons said. "They have been gaining more confidence."

SIUE outhits Southeast Missouri 8-6.

"Our guys did a really good job, approach-wise, at the plate," Lyons added. "(SEMO) had a bunch of lefties and our guys were working the other way. That was a good thing to see."

SEMO starter Daniel Bergtholdt fell to 2-2 with the loss. He allowed the three runs on six hits over three innings.

"The team that competed the longest and the hardest today was probably going to be the one to come out on top," Lyons said. "Our guys kept after it for all 27 outs."

Saturday's Game

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – SIUE starter David Llorens tossed six shutout innings and struck out a career-best 10 hitters Saturday as the Cougars defeated Southeast Missouri 9-3 in the second game of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference series.

SIUE improved to 5-10 overall and 2-3 in the OVC. SEMO fell to 11-8 and also is 2-3 in the OVC.

The six innings from Llorens tied his career long. He surrendered only three hits in the game.

"That's as well as David has pitched in a Cougar uniform," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "It came at the right time. We were in a pitcher's duel. (SEMO starter Noah) Niznik did a really nice job. They matched each other pitch for pitch for six innings."

Llorens racked up multiple strikeouts in four of the six innings he worked. He improved to 1-2 with the win.

"It was an outstanding job by David," Lyons continued. "He a good tempo, mixed his pitches and collected quite a few strikeouts."

Meanwhile Niznik retired the first 13 SIUE hitters of the day. Raul Elguezabal changed things with one out in the fifth with a solo home run to right to put SIUE on top.

Niznik worked 5 1/3 innings and fell to 2-1 with the loss.

"That home run jumpstarted things," Lyons said. "It gives us a little bit of confidence when he goes the other way for the big hit."

Eric Giltz picked up an RBI-hit in the sixth as the Cougars scored twice to go on top 3-0.

Llorens started the seventh, but allowed a couple of base runners before being relieved by Braydon Bone. Bone got out of the inning and added a strikeout to preserve the shutout.

"Another huge spot was the top of the seventh inning," Lyons said. "Brayden Bone gave us a big stop to keep it at 3-0."

The Cougars took control with a six-run seventh inning against three SEMO relievers. Giltz drove in two with a double, Brock Weimer bounced a ball over the centerfield fence for an RBI-double and Elguezabal and Jordan Ross each picked up RBI singles in the inning.

Giltz was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and run scored.

"When he has had his opportunities he has provided some big veteran at-bats," Lyons said of Giltz. "That was great to see out of him."

Elguezabal and Ross each finished with two hits for the Cougars.

SEMO scored a runs in the eighth and two in the ninth inning for the final margin. Danny Wright finished 3 for 5 with two RBIs for the Redhawks.