While the runs were minimal in today’s game against the Salukis, the Shockers had to play three innings past the ninth to determine the 4-3 win.

The baseball team gained a one run lead in the bottom of the third thanks to Daniel Kihle stealing home.

The score remained 1-0 until the top of the fifth, when the Salukis tied it up by a throwing error from starting pitcher Cale Elam.

Casey Gillaspie’s home run pulled the Shockers ahead once again, extending the lead 2-1 directly after a controversial call that got Todd Butler thrown out of the game.

Butler wasn’t alone. The Salukis’ head coach was also thrown out after Elam struck one of their players out in the top of the ninth.

Foster Vielock relieved Elam after he gave up the tying home run to the Salukis in the top of the ninth with a strong left wind.

“He (Elam) is a competitor,” Butler said. “He walked two guys, but it’s uncharacteristic of him.”

Vielock pitched two more innings until the 11^th, when he was changed out for seasoned reliever Aaron LaBrie with only one out down.

In the top of the 11^th, Southern Illinois pulled ahead by one making the score 3-2 because of a ball dropped in right field. The mishap was quickly redeemed in the same inning by a single home run that tied the game, courtesy of Dayne Parker.

“I was just trying to get something going,” Parker said. “I didn’t hit it as good as I could, but I got it up in the air and it went out.”

Parker would also be the one to get the final RBI to win the game after Joe Haddox stole second and Chase Simpson walked.

“It was one of those in-betweeners but I’m glad it fell in our favor,” Parker said of his game winner.

“This is a big win. Every win is big from here on out,” Butler said.

Today’s win marks the Shockers’ first win from coming behind, and if the Shockers win tomorrow at noon, this will be their first sweep since opening weekend.