SIU COMPLETES COMEBACK IN CAMBRIA CLASSIC FINALE

Sunday, March 8

Minneapolis, Minn. // U.S. Bank Stadium

10 a.m.

South Dakota State University

5-10

Southern Illinois

6-8

South Dakota St.

Southern Ill.

Photo by: Ricky Bassman

3/8/2026 3:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS — Southern Illinois scored the final four runs of the game, including two in the bottom of the ninth, to record a 5-4, come-from-behind victory over South Dakota State in both teams' finale of the Cambria Classic college baseball tournament at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Salukis improved to 6-8 overall while SDSU fell to 5-10. All three Jackrabbit games in the Cambria Classic were decided by one run, with SDSU winning one and dropping two.

SDSU built a 4-1 lead through six innings, starting with a two-run second inning. Owen Siegert started the rally with a leadoff single and Carter Taylor followed with a walk. After Keagen Jirschele was hit by a pitch with one out to load the bases, two runs scored on a fielders choice and Saluki error.

The Jackrabbits made it a 3-1 game in the fifth when Luke Evenson singled with two outs, stole second and scored on a double to left field by Nic Werk.

An inning later, Keagen Jirschele plated Luke Luskey with an infield single for what would be the final SDSU run of the day.

SIU began its comeback against the Jackrabbit bullpen in the home half of the seventh with a run on back-to-back doubles by Kye Watson and Henry Kufa. Gabe Petrucelli led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo home run before Ty Madison entered in relief and stranded the tying run at third base with a strikeout for the final out of the frame.

Madison, who worked four innings as the starter in Friday's game against Northwestern, ran into trouble in the bottom of the ninth as the Salukis tied the game with a double, single and sacrifice fly. SIU loaded the bases with one out before Madison gave way to freshman left-hander Avon Barney.

Barney won the first matchup, getting the first batter he faced to pop out to shortstop, but then issued a five-pitch walk to Jade Flores that forced in the winning run.

The Salukis finished with a 14-7 advantage in hits, with Mason Schwalbach going 3-for-4 and four others collecting two hits.

Werk and Siegert each tallied two hits for the Jackrabbits.

SDSU starter Sam Novotny pitched the first six innings, scattering eight hits but allowing only one run. The junior right-hander struck out five and walked only one.

For SIU, Jack Macintosh picked up the win after tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. He struck out two and walked one. Starter Troy Shepard surrendered four runs — three earned — while striking out five, walking one and hitting two batters.

UP NEXT
The Jackrabbits continue road action Wednesday night at Kansas State. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Tointon Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas.

NOTES

SIU leads the all-time series, 5-1
Sunday's game marked the first meeting between the two programs since 2006
SDSU dropped to 1-4 in one-run games this season as each of their last four games have been decided by a single run (1-3 record)
Both Werk and Siegert extended their hitting streaks to six games
Werk's hitting streak is a career high
Novotny has allowed five earned runs in 18 2/3 innings (2.41 ERA) over his last three starts

-GoJacks.com-