Preview: Southern Illinois at SIU Edwardsville

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Interstat) — The Southern Illinois Salukis and SIU Edwardsville Cougars will meet in a nonconference matchup Tuesday night at Roy E. Lee Field at Simmons Baseball Complex.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 72 degrees forecast.

Southern Illinois (6-8) enters having won two of its last three, including a 5-4 victory over South Dakota State on Sunday. The Salukis have been inconsistent, mixing wins over teams like Seton Hall with lopsided losses to UNLV and Miami (Ohio).

SIU Edwardsville (5-11) looks to snap a four-game skid after being swept at Kansas State over the weekend, culminating in a 20-7 loss Sunday. The Cougars’ offense has shown flashes, scoring 17 runs in a win over Saint Louis last month, but pitching struggles have been a persistent issue.

A key matchup will feature Southern Illinois reliever Jack MacIntosh against SIUE first baseman Ryan Niedzwiedz. MacIntosh has been a reliable arm out of the bullpen for the Salukis, not allowing an earned run in his last seven appearances spanning 10.1 innings. He earned the win Sunday with 3.2 scoreless innings of relief.

Niedzwiedz provides the primary power threat for the Cougars. He is coming off a weekend at Kansas State where he homered and drove in two runs. He had a massive game on Feb. 27, going 3 for 4 with two home runs and six RBIs in a win over Eastern Michigan.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Southern Illinois 5, SIU Edwardsville 3.

Following this game, Southern Illinois will host Southern Indiana for a three-game series starting Friday. SIU Edwardsville opens a three-game home series against Valparaiso on Friday.