BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Southern Illinois scored a combined seven runs in the fifth and sixth innings Saturday afternoon to even its weekend series against the Western Kentucky University baseball team with a 10-3 victory at Nick Denes Field.
WKU (2-4) tallied a single run in the fourth to cut the lead to 2-1 before SIU (3-3) pulled away in the middle innings.
Left fielder Adam Lavelle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs while second baseman Ivan Hartle drew three walks and added a sacrifice fly.
The Hilltoppers left 11 total runners on base, including six in scoring position.
A four-run top of the fifth put SIU in front for good. The Salukis, who added to their 6-1 lead with three runs in the sixth, were paced by three hits from shortstop Jake Welch and a pair of hits from left fielder Jordan Sivertsen.
WKU right-hander Justin Hageman (0-1) limited SIU to an unearned run on one hit with three strikeouts and a walk in three innings. The sophomore was making his first start of the season.
"He needs to get in and see as many situations as possible," WKU coach Matt Myers said. "The more jams I can get him into right now and get him back into that season form; we're going to be ok. His stuff was fine. I expect him to get us 5-6 (innings) next weekend against Kent State."
SIU tallied single runs in the third and fourth innings to take the early 2-0 lead. Both runs scored via bases-loaded walks.
In the bottom of the fourth, WKU got on the board behind back-to-back doubles by designated hitter Ryan Huck and Lavelle.
SIU jumped in front 6-1 with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Catcher Luke Mottashed got the scoring started with an RBI double followed by an RBI infield single from Welch and a two-run double by third baseman Donny Duschinksky.
The Hilltoppers tallied a single run in the bottom of the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Hartle.
The Salukis extended their lead to 9-2 in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run home from by Montgomery and an RBI single by Welch.
An RBI single by Lavelle in the bottom of the seventh inning cut the SIU advantage to 9-3. Andreoli came around to score on the play after leading off the inning with an infield single.
SIU starter Cameron Maldonado (1-0) was touched for two runs on two hits with six walks and six strikeouts in five innings. The right hander did not give up a hit until the fourth inning.
WKU relievers Ian Tompkins and Andrew Zimmerman combined to allow eight runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts in 2-2/3 innings. Redshirt freshman Tate Glasscock gave up one run on three hits with a walk and four strikeouts over the final 3-1/3 innings.
"Tate Glasscock was outstanding," Myers said. "He needs a lot of credit. You make the most of your opportunities. I was looking for someone to be competitive and he went in and he was very competitive. He made great pitches. He is going to get another shot real quick because that was outstanding."
The Hilltoppers will go for the series win at 1 p.m. Sunday. WKU junior left-hander Tim Bado will make his first start of the year against Salukis left-hander Nathan Dorris (1-0, 5.60 ERA).
