Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Eastern Kentucky University lost to Southern Illinois Edwardsville, 14-3 in eight innings, on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama.
 
EKU tied the game in the bottom of the first on Diego Alana's first Division I home run, a solo shot over the wall in left field.  The Cougars broke the tie in the third when they scored their second unearned run.
 
The Colonels loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with three straight 2-out walks, but came up empty.  EKU loaded them up again in the fifth, this time with only one out.  Dylan Rogers, who started the frame by being hit by a pitch, scored on a wild pitch to tie the game 2-2.  Another walk, the third in the inning and the seventh in the game, loaded the bases again but a ground ball end the threat.
 
SIU Edwardsville (1-1) came right back in the top half of the sixth and took the lead.  Gage Franck's 2-run home run down the left field line broke the tie.  Ryan Niedzwiedz added an RBI double and the Cougars led the rest of the way.
 
Alana had three hits in three at bats, walked twice, scored a run and drove in two.  Newcomer Bradley Gagen started for the Colonels (0-2) and allowed just two unearned runs on four hits in four innings.  He walked one and struck out three.
 
EKU drew nine walks.
 
Chase Bloomer went 3-for-6 with three runs and two RBIs for SIUE.  Franck finished 1-for-2 with a walk, two runs and three RBIs.
 
EKU will take on host South Alabama on Sunday at 4 p.m.