THE RUNDOWN
No. 23 DBU dropped a one-run affair to Southern Illinois (27-10, 5-2) Friday night at Horner Ballpark. An RBI double in the eighth inning gave the Salukis the lead in a 7-6 contest. The Patriots (23-14, 4-3) drew a walk to bring the game-winning run to the plate in the ninth, but a strikeout would end the ballgame and put SIU in the driver's seat of the series.

Both teams traded punches in the early innings. Southern Illinois plated the game's first run on a double steal in the first inning, but DBU answered with four runs in the second frame. Cole Moore drew a walk to jumpstart the action and scored on a Blayne Jones double that was hammered into left field. Then, SIU starting pitcher Jake Kuntzendorf briefly lost command and DBU would take advantage. 

Luke Heefner and Jarrett McDonald were each hit by a pitch to load the bases. A three-run triple off the bat of Miguel Santos brought everyone home and the Patriots soared out to a 4-1 lead. 

In the fourth, the Salukis struck back with a four-run frame of their own. A walk and a wild pitch advanced leadoff man Cody Cleveland to second base. He scored on a double into left field before a three-run double from Kaeber Rog completely erased the DBU lead and made it a 5-4 contest in favor of the visiting club.

Trailing 6-4 heading into the home half of the fifth, the DBU offense got back to work. Cole Moore once again walked to open the inning and scored on a Luke Heefner double. The freshman muscled a 2-2 offering into right field for his 21st RBI of the year. George Specht immediately followed with a two-bagger of his own that reset the game at 6-6 heading into the late innings. 

Despite being saddled with the first loss of his career, Brady Rose struck out seven in 4.1 innings out of the bullpen. The left-hander's only run allowed would be the one that decided the ballgame as SIU left Horner Ballpark with the 7-6 win. 

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW 
- Despite the game one loss, DBU leads the all-time series 22-8 over Southern Illinois 
- The Salukis have now won four of their last five.
- Jace Grady played in his 100th career game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 
7 - Brady Rose set a career high with seven strikeouts.
2 - The Salukis scored two runs off the double steal. 
213 - Blayne Jones made his 213th career start. The veteran is expected to tie Austin Knight (215) for the second-most starts in DBU's DI era on Sunday. 

ON DECK 
First pitch for game two between No. 23 DBU and Southern Illinois is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.  Read Full Article