First inning dooms Wild Things
Southern Illinois erupted for nine runs on eight hits in the first inning, then held off a Wild Things comeback attempt to secure a 10-6 victory at Rent One Park in Marion, Ill.
Zach LeBarron gave up seven runs and six hits and only got one out before being replaced by Zach Fleshman.
Washington led 1-0 by scoring a run in the top of the first, then added a single run in the fourth and four more in the sixth.
Carlos Mendez, Cory Harrilchak and Jason Ganek each drove in two runs for the Miners.
Shain Stoner and Stewart Ijames each drove in two runs for the Wild Things.