Final: SIU 3, WSU 0. Topekan Shawn Joy baffles the Shockers. That’s the second shutout in three games for the Shockers. There are lots of guys in this lineup that need to get their bats going. The return of Josh Workman, perhaps Sunday for a pinch hit, is looking crucial. WSU needs his bat and it needs somebody to hit as the DH and the first baseman.
SIU 3, WSU 0 going to the bottom of the seventh: The Salukis break through against Shafer with three hits, all singles, in the top of the seventh. SIU is sticking with Shawn Joy.
0-0 after six: Joy continues to work through the Shockers. WSU had men on first and second in the fifth. Kyle Sisney hit into a double play to end the inning.
0-0 after three: WSU pitcher Aaron Shafer is dominant. No hits. He got ahead 0-2 on five straight batters and struck them all out. SIU’s leadoff batter reached on catcher’s interference in the first and that’s it. THe Shockers aren’t doing much against Shawn Joy. Andy Dirks has both of WSU’s hits.
Clinton McKeever gets a try at first base today in place of Tyler Hill. Hill provides an enormous sense of security with his defense. His averages dropped to .248 (batting) and .315 (on-base) after Friday’s 0-for-3 performance. He hasn’t two hits in a game since March 30 against North Dakota State.
Tyler Weber will DH and Cody Lassley will catch.
The Shockers stole nine bases Friday. Today, SIU will try Tyler Bullock behind the plate and Mark Kelly goes to DH. Bullock has thrown out three of six on the basepaths. He has started six games at catcher.