Bone Earns Save In SIU Win Saturday

The Bruins improved to 2-2 in the OVC and 5-8 overall. SIUE fell to 6-8 overall and 1-3 in league play. The Cougars have dropped four straight games.

"We didn't play well tonight but it's only the first game of the series," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said.  "We've got the opportunity tomorrow to play better and even the series." 

South (3-0) did not walk a hitter and struck out six in going the distance.

"South was in command of all his pitches from the start," Lyons said. "He did a nice job of not allowing any free baserunners and limiting our bats offensively."
Brett Johnson, Brady Bunten, John Stallcup and Brennan Orf accounted for the hits for the Cougars, who were shut out for the first time this season.

While South cruised, SIUE pitchers scuffled. Starter David Llorens (2-2) allowed six runs in a start which lasted just 3 2/3 innings. He allowed five hits and walked eight while striking out just three. Brian Chandler followed and allowed five runs, four earned, on three hits in three innings. He walked five and struck out one.

"We were unable to avoid the free bases tonight," Lyons added. "Collectively, we didn't throw enough strikes to give ourselves a chance."

Belmont scored three runs each in the third, fourth and seventh innings. The Bruins scored twice in the sixth inning.

Right fielder John Behrends paced the Bruins' attack. He was 4-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Brodey Heaton and Jack Capobianco each had two RBIs.

The Cougars and Bruins will complete the OVC series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.

"We will regroup tonight and come out ready to go tomorrow," Lyons said.
SIUE scored three times in the eight inning Saturday for a 5-2 win in the finale of a three-game Ohio Valley Conference baseball series.

The Cougars and Bruins split a Saturday doubleheader with Belmont winning the opener 2-1.

SIUE is now 7-10 overall and 2-4 in OVC play. Belmont is 6-9 overall and 3-3 in the OVC.

"We knew how important it was to salvage a game from the weekend," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "The guys knew they had to find a way."

SIUE scored three runs in the eighth inning on two hits, three walks and a hit by pitch. Brady Bunten doubled to drive in a run and Avery Owusu-Asiedu singled to drive home two.

"We were clawing and fighting to get something," Lyons said. "We were finally able to break through and Brady and Avery came through with the big hits."

The Cougars took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the third and the fourth innings, before the Bruins scored twice in the fifth inning to tie the score.

"I was proud of the response after we scored two, and Belmont answered back and scored two off Kaid (Karnes)," Lyons said. "The guys kept battling."

Karnes worked five innings allowing just the two runs on five hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter. Rob Parks, Tyler Bastunas and Braydon Bone (Effingham) combined for four scoreless innings. Bastunas (1-0) threw two hitless innings to earn the win. Bone worked the ninth, striking out two for his second save of the season. It was the ninth save of his career, which moved him into seventh all time in career saves at SIUE.

The Cougars' five runs came on nine hits, after the Bruins held SIUE to a combined six hits in the first two games.

"That's Belmont's strength – what they have on the mound," Lyons said. "We weren't able to get much going at all."

Owusu-Asiedu, Ethan Copeland and Richie Well each had two hits in the game for the Cougars.

In Saturday's opener, Belmont starter Andy Bean went the distance allowing a run on three SIUE hits. Brett Johnson accounted for the only SIUE run on a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning.

SIUE freshman Noah Matheny started and worked a career-high seven innings. He allowed just a single earned run on five hits. He struck out four.

"Matheny did a really nice job," Lyons said. "An unearned run was the difference. He gave us the opportunity to win."

Parks added a scoreless inning in relief. He struck out two.

SIUE plays on the road at Saint Louis Tuesday before continuing with OVC play over the weekend against EKU.

"I feel good about what we have," Lyons added. "I am confident we will be in the hunt, if we play like we are capable."