Braydon Bone Picks Up Pitching Win For SIUE

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Published on March 8 2021 1:36 pm
Last Updated on March 8 2021 1:36 pm
Written by Millie Lange

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – A three-run eighth inning lifted SIUE baseball to a 4-3 win Sunday and a three-games series sweep of South Dakota State at Simmons Baseball Complex.

The Cougars have won four straight games and five of their last six and improved to 5-4 with Sunday's win. South Dakota State slipped to 5-5 with the loss.
SDSU pitchers had limited SIUE to a run on two hits over the first seven innings. The Jackrabbits led 3-1 heading into the frame when Brett Johnson led off with a double. Johnson was caught stealing at third for the first out in the inning. With two outs, Connor Kiffer connected for his first SIUE home run to make it 3-2. Brady Bunten hit a sharp ground ball to third and ended up on second base thanks to a throwing error. Raul Elguezabal drilled a base hit through the left side to tie the score and took second base on the throw in. Ole Arntson then shot a base hit through the right side to score Elguezabal with the eventual game-winning run.

"We struggled offensively for seven innings," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We found a way at the end. We overcame some miscues of our own. The guys fought and fought and came out on top."

South Dakota State took a lead in the fourth, before SIUE tied the score in the fifth inning. Brett Pierson hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to scoreSteven Pattan to even the score 1-1.

The Jackrabbits scored a run in the seventh and another in the eighth to lead 3-1.

"Any weekend, whether you are trying to sweep a series or you are trying to salvage a game, winning isn't easy," Lyons said. "You just have to keep grinding and win your at-bat every time."

Braydon Bone (1-0), Effingham picked the win in relief. Bone came on to finish the eighth before working the ninth. He retired all four batters he faced, striking out one.

Kaid Karnes started and worked five innings, allowing a run on three hits. He struck out three.

Brett Barnett (1-1) took the loss. He allowed all three runs in the eighth inning. SDSU starter Ryan Bourassa struck out eight SIUE hitters over 4 1/3 innings. 

"They had our number early," Lyons added. "The guys stayed with it. We caught a break and then got the big hit late."

SIUE remains at home to begin Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend when Southeast Missouri comes to Edwardsville.

"Guys are feeling good about the progress we're making," Lyons said. "Outside of a few mental mistakes today, we played pretty well. We have to clean up those mental mistakes and get ready for SEMO next weekend."