SIU baseball swept by No. 25 Patriots

SIU's up-and-down baseball team did not respond well to pressure last weekend in Dallas, as it was swept in a three-game MVC series by a team that, though ranked high in national polls, was there for the taking as far as losing said series.

In fact, the Salukis led in the first two games of the series, yet apparently lacked what winners need emotionally to finish off a Dallas Baptist University team that was struggling during most of the three-game set.

In last Friday's 7-4 loss, SIU pitcher Michael Baird pitched well through six, and his team led 4-1 going into the bottom of the seventh. He was relieved with two men on in that inning, and the reliever collapsed, giving up two wind-blown homers and six big runs to Dallas Baptist (7-4 Patriot lead).

Sure, the wind out to right was a factor, but the reliever apparently did not respond to the pressure of the game.

"We put ourselves in the position to win," disappointed Saluki coach Ken Henderson said. "We just have to find a way to finish the game."

They didn't find that way last weekend, but the Patriots have obviously figured that winning thing out.

When your team leaders don't come through, it's hard to win when playing a squad like Dallas Baptist. That was the case in the second SIU loss (9-8 Patriot win) when the Patriots went into the bottom of the ninth trailing the Salukis and facing SIU's top closer, Ryan Netemeyer.

Netemeyer proceeded to hit the first batter up, then had a wild pitch and four walks. With his team still leading, Netemeyer walked in the winning run. That type of loss probably did not help the emotional level of Netemeyer's teammates.

That was clear in last Sunday's get-away game of the Dallas-based series.

SIU was facing a good Dallas Baptist hurler in Trevor Connor, but it was evident from the get go that something was missing motivation-wise for the Dawgs.

That was most apparent in their lack of offensive fire, as they could only manage five hits in the 3-1 loss. Saluki ace Brad Harrison was OK, as he pitched six innings and gave up only two earned runs.

Slipping to 4-5 in the league, the Dawgs take a week's hiatus from MVC play and hit the road to Tennessee Tech starting this Friday for a three-game series. In fact, SIU does not start MVC play back up until April 27, when the Salukis travel to Evansville for another weekend series.