Life in the Valley

Belmont ace starter Andy Bean lived up to that accolade Friday night, pitching the first complete-game shutout by any Missouri Valley Conference pitcher this season in the Bruins’ 2-0 victory over Illinois State. The game also marked Belmont’s debut in Valley conference play, after joining the league from the Ohio Valley Conference.

Bean got through the 9 innings in 102 pitches, a sterling 3.78 pitches per out. He allowed just 2 hits – a double to Shaydon Kubo and a Dylan Swarmer single. Other than that, the Redbirds were befuddled, as Bean struck out 6 and walked 2. Bean is now 2-3 on the season with a team-leading 3.26 ERA (among qualifiers). He has struck out 39 in 38 2/3 innings, with just 11 walks. Opponents are batting only .200 against Bean.

While Bean earned top honors for the shutout, Illinois State starter Derek Salata deserves some props, as well. The 5th-year senior from Westchester, Ill., struck out 11 in just 6 innings yesterday, pushing his total to 43 for the season in just 27 2/3 innings. The 43 strikeouts lead the Valley going into Saturday’s play, with Bean’s 39 placing him 2nd in the conference. Salata has a 1.95 ERA in 5 starts and has walked just 8.

Jeff Clarke and Brodey Heaton drove in Belmont’s runs. The two teams will play the middle game of the weekend series at 3 this afternoon on ESPN+.

WHAT’S ON TAP

Here’s the rest of today’s Valley baseball schedule, all times Eastern:

UIC at SIU, 1, ESPN3
UE at Missouri State, 1, ESPN3
Valpo at Indiana State, 3, ESPN3
Illinois State at Belmont, 3
UIC at SIU, 4, ESPN3
Bradley at Murray State, 4, ESPN3
UE at Missouri State, 4:30, ESPN3