Left to right, senior outfielder Katie Wilson, junior outfielder Chelsea Held, junior infielder Natalee Weissinger and junior first baseman Corinna Gonzalez cheer for senior utility player Allie Hanson Wednesday at Rochman Softball Field after her home run during the Salukis’ doubleheader against the Evansville Purple Aces. Hanson’s home run gave the Salukis a 7-0 lead. The Salukis went on to defeat the Purple Aces 8-0 in the first game and 2-1 in the second. – Isaac Smith | Daily Egyptian
With the game tied at one in the bottom of the seventh inning, junior outfielder Chelsea Held stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs against Evansville freshman pitcher Kendall Kautz.
Held sent a bunt down the third base line, sprinted down the line and watched as sophomore third baseman Ashleigh Rahming’s throw pulled sophomore first baseman Allison Aguilera off the bag.
Aguilera was able to put the tag on Held, but not before Held’s foot reached first base and senior outfielder Katie Wilson crossed home to give the Salukis a 2-1 victory.
Despite Evansville head coach Mark Redburn’s pleas to the umpire that Held was out, the decision stood after a conference between the umpires.
Held said she knew she was safe, and with the Salukis taking both games of the doubleheader after beating Evansville 8-0 in the first contest, said it was a great start to the Missouri Valley Conference season.
“And it’s good to get us rolling to tomorrow night (against Iowa State) and into this weekend,” Held said.
Head coach Kerri Blaylock said she wanted to make Evansville show the ability to make a play in order to beat them.
“I just told her that we really felt like she just needed to put the ball in play and make them make a mistake,” Blaylock said. “The pressure’s on them and that’s how we felt we were going to be successful.”
After junior pitcher Alex Peters pitched six-plus innings and allowed just one run on three hits, three walks and three strikeouts, junior pitcher Danielle Glosson came into the game in the seventh with a runner on first and no outs. She was able to retire the next three batters to pick up the win.
The only other run for the Salukis in the second game came on a solo home run from Wilson in the second inning.
SIU (16-9, 2-0 MVC) was able to precede its thrilling 2-1 victory with an 8-0 thrashing of the Aces (5-11, 0-2 MVC) in the first game.
The Salukis used a five-run second inning in game No. 1, highlighted by a three-run home run by freshman outfielder Morgan Barchan, the first of her career, to jump in front of the Aces and never look back.
Blaylock said Barchan is one of the most versatile players on the team, with the ability to hit home runs or slap and bunt for base hits.
“We feel like we need her at the top of the order to make us go,” Blaylock said. “She can do three different things to you.”
Glosson (8-6) was able to pick up the win in the first game as well, as she went a complete game, six innings, and allowed no runs on two hits and struck out 10 batters.
Glosson said she has felt confident on the mound, especially when the team was able to give her eight runs of support.
“Runs are my friend,” Glosson said. “That’s always awesome.”
The Salukis will turn right around at 3 p.m. today for another home game, this time playing Iowa State.
Stile T. Smith can be reached at ssmith@dailyegyptian.com or 536-3311 ext. 256.
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