Saluki softball will still be dancing into the evening.

SIU defeated Missouri State 4-3 Friday afternoon in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament quarterfinals.

The Salukis (33-18) got off to a quick start, scoring one in the first on a junior first baseman Shaye Harre RBI double, and three in the second on a two-run home run by sophomore second baseman Savannah Fisher and a RBI double by freshman left fielder Eyrika Brandenburg.

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Outside of one shaky inning in the fourth, National Freshman of the Year candidate Brianna Jones (23-11, 1.92 ERA) was stellar again, picking up her 23rd win this season. She threw all seven innings, allowing six hits and three runs.

The Bears (22-30) scored their three runs with singles from each of their outfielders: sophomore left fielder Hailee Vigneaux, sophomore center fielder Erika Velasquez Zimmer and junior right fielder Olivia Roark.

SIU will play No. 1 seed Wichita State at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the MVC semi-finals at Charlotte West Stadium.

The two teams split a two-game set in Wichita last weekend.

This story will be updated after the second game.

Sean Carley can be reached at [email protected] or at 618-536-3307.