CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois' Michael Baird threw a one-hitter to lead the Salukis to a 1-0 lead over the Illinois baseball team Sunday at Itchy Jones Stadium. Fighting Illini starter Andrew Mamlic went toe-to-toe with Baird in 7.0 innings without allowing an earned run, but two errors led to the only run of the game with two outs in the seventh inning.
Baird (3-1) took a no-hitter into the ninth inning, before pinch-hitter Jack Yalowitz broke up the bid with a line-drive single to center field. The Salukis have not had a no-hitter since Paul Evans did it against SIU-Edwardsville in 1979.
Yalowitz went to second base on a sac bunt by Adam Walton, setting up the Illini with the tying run in scoring position and one out. Jason Goldstein pinch hit and flew out to left field and Dan Rowbottom grounded out to second base to end the game.
Illinois (7-10) surrendered its only run of the game after setting up SIU with an error by third baseman Bren Spillane and a hit by pitch. With two outs, Ryan Sabo grounded to Walton, who threw the ball low from short to first, allowing Greg Lambert to score.
Mamlic (2-2) threw 96 pitches in the best outing of his career. He allowed only two hits and struck out four, while walking one and hitting one. Nick Blackburn threw a scoreless eighth inning to keep the Illini close.
Baird finished with four strikeouts and three walks to go along with his one hit allowed. The 6-foot-5 righty threw 106 pitches and faced 30 batters.
Southern Illinois (12-7-1) has matched its win total from last season.
Illinois returns to action Tuesday at Illinois State. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. CT start.
