Box Score CARBONDALE, Illinois – The Huskies battled back in game one but couldn't outpace Southern Illinois in offensive game. Down, 9-1, heading into the top of the third inning, HCU tallied eight runs to tie the opening match of the three-game series at 9-9. A pair of runs for the Salukis in the bottom of the third inning and a back-and-forth matching runs in each half inning down the stretch resulted in the Huskies falling, 13-11, at Itchy Jones Stadium.

A lead off walk by Samuel Benjamin followed by a single through the left side by Ty Hodge advancing Benjamin to second got a runner in scoring position in the top of the first for the Huskies. HCU got on the board with a William Jewell single to second base driving in Benjamin. After allowing three runs in the bottom of the first and six runs in the bottom of the second inning, the Huskies were down 9-1 through two innings. With their backs against the wall, HCU started the top of the third with a home run to left center off the bat of Benjamin on the third pitch of the inning. Hodge reached on an error before Jewell was dealt a four-pitch walk to get runners on first and second base. The Huskies tacked on another run when Dylan LaRue singled through the right-side scoring Hodge. A single through the right side by Josh Prinner scored Jewell before Trevor Roper slapped a single into right field driving in Dylan LaRue. With two outs and four runs scored in the half inning, the Salukis went to the bullpen. On the new SIU pitcher's, Kade Coombe, second pitch, Lane Sparks hits a three-run shot to right field to get within one run at 9-8. Three pitches later, Benjamin records his second home run of the day with a solo-shot to right field to tie the game. Southern Illinois reclaimed the lead scoring two runs in the bottom of the third to take a 10-8 lead. A solo home run by the Salukis's Hesston Gray in the bottom of the sixth inning extended the lead to three runs. In the top of the seventh inning, Dylan LaRue narrowed the deficit after singling through the left side, advancing to third on a double to right field by Katcher Halligan, and scoring on a ground out to third off the bat of Prinner to get back within two runs. SIU scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the eight inning before the Huskies tallied the last run of the game on the second pitch of the top of the ninth inning when Tyler LaRue hit a solo-shot to center field.

The Huskies were led by Benjamin going a perfect 4-for-4 with two home runs, three runs, two RBIs, and a walk. Dylan LaRue went 2-for-5 with two runs and an RBI while Jewell went 2-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a walk. Lane Sparks went 1-for-4 with a three-run homerun and Tyler LaRue went 1-for-5 with a solo homer. Jonathan Valdez (0-1) was tagged with the loss pitching 4.2 relief innings for the Huskies allowing three earned runs on four hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Rye Gunter started the game for HCU pitching one inning while giving up six earned runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout. Zach Ryan pitched .2 shutout innings to close game one and the Huskies used five pitchers in the opening game.

Southern Illinois (8-5) was led by Steven Loden going 3-for-4 with a homer, five RBIs, two runs and a walk. Cole Christman went 2-for-3 with four runs, two walks and a double while Hesston Gray went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a home run. Kade Coombe (1-0) earned the win pitching .1 innings of relief allowing two runs, no earned runs, on four hits. Easton Dermody notched his second save of the season pitching six innings of relief giving up two earned runs on five hits with nine strikeouts. Aidan Foeller started the game for the Salukis pitching 2.2 innings allowing seven runs, two earned runs, on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

The three-game series will continue Friday at 6 p.m. at Itchy Jones Stadium for game two. The series will conclude on Saturday with the final matchup scheduled for noon.

Live stats are available at HCUHuskies.com!