NCAA Central Regional : Pepperdine Rallies to Oust Southern Illinois, 5-3

Pepperdine came from behind with three consecutive RBI singles in the bottom of the eighth inning to score a 5-3 victory and eliminate Southern Illinois from the NCAA Central Regional baseball tournament Friday at Disch-Falk Field.

Trailing, 3-2, the Waves (37-19-2) put runners at first and second on a walk to Steve Kirkpatrick and a single by Paul Faries. Scott Shockey then fouled off two bunt attempts before striking out.

With the infield pulled in, Wave batters Rick Hirtensteiner and Steve Erickson each singled to score Kirkpatrick and Faries and put Pepperdine ahead to stay. Doug Simons followed with a bloop single to left field that scored Hirtensteiner and produced the game’s final run.

Before the big inning, Saluki starter Dale Kisten (9-2) had given up just four hits, all singles.

Being behind late in the game had not been in Pepperdine Coach Dave Gorrie’s plans, but he blamed himself for the turn of events.

With the game tied, 2-2, in the sixth inning, Wave starter Steve Scanlon walked leadoff batter Gerry Pitchford, who advanced to second on Jay Burch’s sacrifice bunt. Gorrie went to the mound and told Scanlon not to give left-handed batter Steve Finley a good pitch. Finley took a ball and then hit a line drive into center field to score Pitchford.

“It was my mistake,” Gorrie said. “I should have played the percentages. I had it in my mind all along to put (relief pitcher Mike) Fetters in, but I did it one batter too late.”

As it turned out, Fetters (13-6) was able to shut out the Salukis the rest of the way, giving up just two hits, no runs and striking out four in 3 innings to earn the victory.

“He did a great job,” Gorrie said. “I just hope I’ll be able to use him again.”

Fetters had to turn back a Southern Illinois rally in the ninth inning. Two singles put men on first and second with two outs before Charles Hilleman struck out to end the game.

Today, Pepperdine will face Arizona, which beat Texas, 9-3. Gorrie said he will probably start Patrick Dubar (7-5).