The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
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Southern Ill
Southern Illinois Wins 15-Inning Marathon
2/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 17, 2001
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Southern Illinois second baseman Dane Kerley scored the winning run on an infield grounder by shortstop Ryan Murray in the top of the fifteenth inning and reliever Scott Lucht held off UAB in the bottom of the inning as the Salukis (1-4) defeated UAB (2-1) 8-7 in the second-longest game in Blazer baseball history Saturday at Young Memorial Field.
Earlier in the afternoon, the Blazers finally got credit for a win in Friday's game, which was halted with UAB leading 11-5 in the eighth inning because of severe weather. The game was completed prior to the start of Saturday's regularly scheduled game, with the Blazers holding on for an 11-7 victory.
In Saturday's 15-inning marathon, Southern Illinois missed a chance to win in the twelfth inning. The Salukis took a 7-5 lead in the top of the inning as pinch hitter Dustin Downs doubled to left center field off UAB reliever Andre Parks, scoring Kerley and catcher Scott Hankey.
In the bottom of the twelfth, UAB catcher Al Hecklinski led off with a single, but SIU reliever Victor Hockett retired the next two batters, bringing up shortstop Mark Garner. Garner tied the game with a two-run homer to left center and kept the Blazers alive.
Neither team threatened seriously until the top of the fifteenth inning, when Kerley led off with a double, left fielder Steve Mazzola reached on a fielder's choice bunt that moved Kerley safely to third, and Murray hit a ground ball fielder's choice to short that retired Mazzola but scored Kerley with what would prove to be the game-winning run.
In the bottom of the fifteenth, UAB's Christian Reimers lined out to first base and Garner grounded out to the pitcher, bringing up center fielder Mitch Jones. Jones, who had tied the game at 5-5 with a clutch RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning, reached on an error by Saluki third baseman Luke Nelson and then stole second base, but Lucht was able to get Blazer left fielder Cory Acklus to fly out to right field, ending the game.
Lucht (1-0) worked three complete innings, allowing no runs or hits and striking out one.
UAB's Blake Allen (0-1) took the loss, also working three complete innings, allowing one run on three hits. Andre Parks worked six complete innings in relief of Blazer starter Joe McRae, allowing two runs on three hits, with one walk and four strikeouts. McRae worked six complete innings, allowing five runs on six hits.
The teams will complete the three-game series Sunday, beginning at 1:00 pm CST at Young Memorial Field.
