As far as Saluki Baseball debuts go, Tuesday’s will be hard to top.
Making their 2022 home debut, SIU (3-1) used a no-hit performance by four of its pitchers-three of whom were making their Saluki and Division One debuts-in routing Austin Peay (1-2), 10-0.
The newcomer dominated performance ended one of SIU’s longest achievement droughts. The combined no-hitter marked SIU’s first no-hit performance since Paul Evans pitched a 7 inning no hitter at SIUE in 1979 and it was the Salukis first nine inning no-hitter since Paul Grandcolas no-hit Arkansas St. in 1953. Tuesday’s effort is believed to be SIU’s first-ever combined no-hitter.
The no-hitter was far from a perfect game. Starter Ben Riffe pitched the first six innings and walked three while striking out four. There were three errors committed behind him. He was lifted after his 89th pitch ended the sixth inning.
Veteran RH Tanner Lewis made his 2022 debut by retiring the Governors in order in the seventh inning.
Alabama St. and Southeastern Illinois College transfer Jordan Gould pitched the 8th inning in his Saluki debut, walking one.
Des Moines Area College transfer RH Kaden Peterson walked one hitter and hit two others in loading the bases in the 9th inning of his Saluki debut. Peterson, who said he didn’t know he was protecting a no-hitter when he entered the game, struck out pinch hitter TJ Rogers to end the game.
SIU’s hitters backed the hit-free effort of their pitchers by hitting three home runs. J-T Weber’s second HR of the season started SIU’s scoring in the bottom of the first inning.
His pre-season All MVC teammate, 3B Cody Cleveland, slammed SIU’s first grand slam home run since Weber’s slam on 4/4/21, giving SIU a 5-0 lead after four innings.
Newcomer SS Kaeber Rog slammed an RBI double to start a four run Saluki uprising in the sixth inning. LF Pier-Olivier Boucher followed with an RBI double. the final two runs of the inning scored on a wild pitch.
Chaffey College transfer OF Darren Taylor homered for SIU’s final run in the seventh inning.
Tuesday’s three home runs give SIU 5 this season in 4 games.
While no-hit, Austin Peay stranded nine baserunners.
It was SIU’s second consecutive win versus APSU. SIU outscored the Governors 25-0 in the two wins.
