THE RUNDOWN
A six-run seventh inning propelled No. 25 DBU to a comeback win over Southern Illinois at Horner Ballpark on Friday. Matt Duce's three-run homer put the Patriots (21-11, 3-1 Missouri Valley Conference) on top, and Kragen Kechely induced a game-ending double play to earn the save.
 
Duce's blast came one pitch after he narrowly missed a home run down the right field line. The Patriot catcher caught hold of a stiff breeze blowing out to right for his fifth blast of the year. Jimmy Glowenke capped the six-run frame with a solo homer into the same jet stream, going back-to-back with Duce.
 
The Salukis (18-15, 4-3 MVC) took the lead early on a solo home run by Addison Fugitt, who took advantage of a strong wind blowing out to left field in the first inning. SIU added runs in the second, sixth, and seventh with RBI singles. Meanwhile, DBU threatened, but came up empty, getting runners in scoring position in three of the first five innings before finally breaking through in the sixth on Glowenke's RBI single.
 
Jameson Hannah and Kody Funderburk drove in runs with singles in the seventh, chasing Saluki starter Michael Baird and setting the table for Duce's heroics. Kechely pitched around a hit batter in the ninth, inducing a 3-6 double play to secure his first save of the season.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU has erased a deficit in the seventh inning or later in four straight games.
- The Patriots have won seven straight games on Fridays and are 8-1 on Fridays in 2018.
- Glowenke's three hits tied his career high.
 
COACH DAN HEEFNER ON DUCE'S TIMELY LONG BALL
"He's a clutch ballplayer. He's a veteran, and he loves pressure situations. He's an emotional player as well, so when you get him in a situation like that, I think he really, really enjoys it."
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
32 -  Hannah extended his hitting streak to 32 straight games.
2.01 - Baird's career ERA against the Patriots increased to 2.01 Friday night.
.160 - Excluding Fugitt, the Patriots held SIU to a .160 average (4-for-25) with one extra base hit.
 
 UP NEXT
DBU and Southern Illinois play Game 2 on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. Kody Funderburk will take the mound for the Patriots, and Jamison Steege will throw for the Salukis.