CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois baseball begins its first three-game home series with Seton Hall beginning Friday at Itchy Jones Stadium. Friday’s first pitch was originally scheduled for 3 p.m., but it has since been moved to a 6 p.m. start.
THE SCHEDULE
Friday — 6 p.m.
Saturday — 2 p.m.
Sunday — 1 p.m.
THE PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday: Andrew Evans vs. TBA
Saturday: TBD vs. TBA
Sunday: TBD vs.TBA
AROUND THE HORN
The Salukis lost all three games in a weekend set against Queens (N.C.) and Appalachian State last weekend. They then fell 11-0 to Miami University in Wednesday’s midweek matchup.
SIU hit a school-record 113 home runs last season, with a large portion of that power returning, led by Michael Mylott and Gabe Petrucelli. The pitching staff also brings back experience, including weekend starter Meade Johnson and reliever Dylan Petrey, while several newcomers are expected to play key positions early in the season.
Consistent with previous seasons under Rhodes, the Salukis will have over 20 new pieces as the season begins. The roster consists of 13 seniors, 15 juniors, three sophomores and just two freshmen.
RHODES AT THE HELM
Lance Rhodes is in his seventh season as head coach, guiding SIU to back-to-back 40-win seasons for the first time in program history (2021 & 2022). He owns a 197-122 record at SIU. He enters the week three wins away from the 200-win mark in his SIU career.
THE MATCHUP
Southern Illinois (1-6) vs. Seton Hall (3-2)
The schools have only met twice before, with Southern winning both games. The first matchup took place in the 1974 NCAA Tournament with a 5-1 Saluki victory.
MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE PRESEASON POLL
Southern Illinois was picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. Murray State was selected as the conference favorite, followed by SIU, UIC, Illinois State, and Indiana State.
Six Salukis were named to the MVC Players to Watch list:
Simay led SIU with a .351 batting average last season, while Petrey was a key arm out of the bullpen and earned All-MVC Honorable Mention honors.
The Salukis enter the season with an experienced roster, including only a handful of underclassmen, and relying heavily on leadership with experience in the Saluki Baseball program.
ON THE DIAMOND
Southern Illinois returns big offensive production from last season’s lineup, including several of the team’s top run producers and power hitters. Petrucelli and Mylott headline a group that helped set the program’s single-season home run record.
ON THE MOUND
SIU brings back key arms to anchor the pitching staff, including Meade Johnson and Dylan Petrey. Petrey is expected to play a major role in late-inning situations. The Salukis have also added several transfers, including Andrew Evans, who will start on Friday. The Kansas State transfer features a fastball that tops out in the mid-90s with multiple wipeout pitches and figures to be a key arm early on.
HISTORIC 2025 OFFENSE
SIU ranks 25th nationally and second in the MVC with 500 runs scored in 2025, and led the league with 8.8 runs per game.
The Salukis were 42nd nationally with 603 hits.
SIU ranked 10th nationally and first in the MVC with 113 home runs.
Southern ranks sixth nationally and led the MVC with a .555 slugging percentage.
The Salukis were tied for 30th nationally and tied for second in the MVC with 124 doubles.
SIU was second in the MVC and ranked 28th nationally with 17 triples.
The Salukis were tied for 24th nationally and led the MVC with 33 sacrifice flies.
SIU was second in the MVC with 81 stolen bases.
The staff posted five shutouts, tied for 21st nationally and second in the MVC, and boasted 12 saves, including eight by Sam Frizzi.
HOT STARTS
Kye Watson was the top Saluki hitter in the opening series at Oral Roberts. The freshman from Lititz, Pa., went 5-for-11 at the plate and hit two solo homers in his debut series for Southern.
Charlie Miller made the most of his first appearance out of the bullpen, pitching three shutout frames in the opening victory at Oral Roberts. The sophomore struck out three on the day.
Cecil Lofton and Kye Watson each have two home runs, tied for second in the MVC thus far.
Julio Guerrero is tied for first in the MVC with six stolen bases in the young season.
Andrew Evans is seventh in the MVC in ERA at 2.25 and third in opponent batting average (.154). He also ranks second in strikeouts with 12.
Troy Shepard is right behind his Saluki teammates, fourth in the league with an opponent batting average of .172. He also has 10 strikeouts, tied for seventh.