Life in the Valley

I’d been struggling for a better title for these recap posts but I think will go with the above for a while. Here’s a look at Sunday in The Valley!

Illinois State 14, Austin Peay State 13 (10)
The Redbirds and Governors concluded an entertaining series with a 27-run thriller Sunday won by Illinois State to take the series, 2-1. Greg Nichols went 3-for-5 with a double, homer, 2 runs, and 3 RBIs for the Redbirds. In fact, the top 3 in the ISU order (Auggie Rassmussen, Luke Cheng, and Nichols combined to go 7-for-14 with 5 runs and 8 RBIs. Elijah Dale worked the final 4 innings to get the win, striking out 8.

Belmont 4, UT-Martin 2
After getting swept in a Saturday doubleheader, the Bruins played 2 more today with much better results. In this one, Dominic Baratta pitched 5 shutout innings, allowing just 1 hit with 4 walks and 7 strikeouts. Mason Landers homered to key the Belmont offense.

Belmont 11, UT-Martin 4
The Bruins scored 3 runs in each of the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th innings to take a 9-1 lead and cruise home to an 11-4 win and a 4-game series split. Belmont doubled up UT-Martin in hits ,14-7. Landers and Max Blessinger drove in 3 runs each.

Saint Mary’s 8, UIC 1 (7)
The Flames’ bid for an impressive 4-game Opening weekend road sweep were for naught as the Gaels salvaged the finale, 8-1. Carson Roberts scored the lone run for the Flames.

Troy 11, Evansville 10
Speaking of weekend sweeps, it was a sweep of the wrong kind for the Purple Aces, who fell by a run at Troy Sunday to go 0-3 in their opening series of the season. Down 10-2 after 7, UE made a spirited comeback, scoring 6 runs in the 8th to make it 10-8. But after a Troy run in the bottom of the 8th, Evansville’s 2-run 9th brought the Purple Aces just short. Kip Fougerousse continued his strong weekend with 3 more hits for UE.

UL-Monroe 8, Bradley 4
The Braves were befuddled by Monroe starter Chipper Menard, who worked 6 innings, allowing just 2 runs on 2 hits with 2 walks and 6 strikeouts on 87 pitches. CF and leadoff man Ryan Vogel didn’t struggle at all this weekend, however, getting 2 more hits today to leave Monroe with a .545 batting average.

Wofford 5, Southern Illinois 4
SIU was outhit, 11-8, and fell by a run to Wofford, wrapping up a 2-2 weekend for the Salukis (1-2 vs. Wofford, 1-0 vs. Towson). Pier-Olivier Boucher hit a solo homer for Southern Illinois in the loss.

Cal Poly 12, Missouri State 5
Cal Poly rallied from 4-0 and 5-4 deficits, then scored 6 runs in the 8th inning to pull away from visiting Missouri State, taking 2 of 3 in the series. Cal Poly pounded out 18 hits in the win – 6 players had at least 2 hits. Mason Greer hit a 3-run homer for the Bears.

Kansas 6, Valparaiso 3
The Beacons were turned away in their bid to get a weekend series victory over a Big 12 opponent. Kansas closed the scoring with 4 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to take the lead for good. Nolan Tucker and Kyle Schmack (great name!) each had 2 hits for Valpo. Reliever Grant Jablonski 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, hitless relief in the loss.

North Florida 17, Murray State 7
The Racers also came out of The Weeknd 1-2 after today’s 10-run loss to North Florida. The game was tied 5-5 after just 3 innings, but scored in every inning but the 2nd, including a 6-run outburst in the 8th inning that settled matters once and for all. Taylor Howell (3 hits, 3 runs) and Brennan McCullough each hit their 1st homers of the season for Murray.