CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Southern Illinois baseball’s Andrew Evans delivered Southern’s best starting performance of the young season, but the bats could not get going in a 2-0 loss to Queens on Friday.

Evans and Queens’ starter Joey Ruller were dominant early. Prior to the top of the seventh, the lone hit in the game was a bunt single by Queens’ third baseman Anibal Rivera. Kye Watson and Mason Schwalbach were hit by pitches in the first and third innings, respectively, representing the only baserunners for SIU.

The Salukis were able to make solid contact but could not find holes and were victims of elite defense from the Royals.

Cecil Lofton finally got the Salukis in the hit column in the top of the seventh but could not advance.

Evans was rolling and sat at 85 pitches when he came out for the bottom of the eighth. Rivera smacked a single to left center, which would mark the end of Evans’ day.

Charlie Miller relieved Evans, and after a sacrifice bunt to get Queens’ runner to second, he struck out the next batter as Southern was one out away from squandering the best scoring chance either team had all day long.

The Saukis decided to walk Hunter Huneycutt to give themselves a force out at the first three bases, and to face the nine-hole hitter Dylan Schaefer. Schaefer made them pay for that move, pulling a two-run double down the left-field line.

SIU went down in order in the top of the ninth.

Evans (1-1) took the loss despite one earned run on 7.0 innings pitched, two hits, and nine strikeouts.

Queens’ Joey Ruller (1-0) had a big day in his own right, pitching seven shutout innings and striking out five Salukis. Jake Young earned the victory after closing the game.

UP NEXT

SIU and Queens will play the last game between the two Saturday at 5 p.m. CT.

 

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