WKU struggles on road, fall to SIU 6-1

Austin Lanter

The Toppers committed four errors and gave up seven hits on Sunday as they fell to Southern Illinois on the road 6-1.

Junior pitcher Andrew Edwards got the start for the WKU and pitched five innings, allowed five hits, two earned runs and struck out four batters in a losing effort.

The Salukis were able to get on the board in the first inning after connecting on a double. The hit would be the only one of the inning for SIU and the team would strand two runners on base in the first.

Both WKU (3-6) and SIU (5-4) struggled offensively in the second and third inning as neither team connected on a hit.

In the fourth inning, the Toppers broke through and were able to get a run on the board courtesy of an RBI by senior infielder Ryan Huck that scored junior outfielder Regan Flaherty.

However, the Salukis tacked on a couple runs in the fourth themselves and took the lead once more at 3-1. Both team recorded two hits on the inning and WKU stranded two runners on base while SIU only stranded one.

The run in the fourth would prove to be the only one of the game for WKU.

SIU was able to tack on another run in the fifth inning after connecting on a couple of hits. The Salukis would extend their lead in the seventh inning, scoring to more runs to make it 6-1, which proved to be the final score.

The WKU pitchers only recorded six strikeouts on the day, something that has been a strong suit for the Toppers all year. Before the game, WKU pitchers had struck out at least 10 batters in seven of the eight games coming in, recording nine in the other game.

The two teams will play again tomorrow in Carbondale, Ill., at 1 p.m. WKU will then head back home for a game against Austin Peay on Tuesday at 3 p.m.