SIU redshirt senior third baseman Matt Schark has had a scorching past week.
Over the weekend, Schark hit five home runs against Evansville, including three on Saturday, to become the SIU Baseball record holder for home runs in a season and was recognized as the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week and National Co-Hitter of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Tuesday night, his legend grew. Schark went 3-for-4 with two home runs and a double, driving in seven runs. His record-breaking single-season home run total now sits at 22.
Schark also holds the single-season RBI record at SIU with 77 RBIs this season. Headed in to Tuesday’s contest, Schark was tied with Robert Jones for most RBI in a season with 70. The third baseman now has 77. Jones’ record was set in 1986.
The Salukis defeated the Cougars 17-11, improving to 36-16. SIU wraps up the regular season at Valparaiso this weekend, beginning on Thursday.
