The Southern Illinois Salukis softball team hosted their yearly fundraiser and dinner on Saturday January 22 in the Banterra Center. The Salukis put on the fundraiser to raise money for the upcoming season, to pay for equipment as well as trips. 

Graduate student and outfielder Jenny Jansen said the event had a strong attendance from team supporters. 

“It means a lot. I mean, we’re not football or basketball, but it’s really awesome to see how many people really care about our program and want to see us succeed and continue to succeed throughout the next couple of years,” Jansen said. 

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Jansen said she didn’t know the full amount that was raised for the team but was told they had a good year. 

Sophomore outfielder Bailey Caylor this was just her second fundraiser since joining the team but she thought this year’s event went much smoother after COVID-19 forced last years outside with social distancing. 

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Dominique Martinez-Powell | @dmartinez_powell.photography

An SIU softball player holds a basket, one of the many items that is up for raffle, as Bryce Williams announces the winner at the SIU softball fundraising dinner Jan. 22, 2022 at the Banterra Center in Carbondale, Ill. “[The fundraising dinner] started with maybe 50 people and it’s grown into a great event,” SIU softball coach and fundraising organizer, Kerri Blaylock said.

This was just my second year. Last year was a little bit smaller because due to COVID we had to hold it outside in the spring. So last year was okay but this year was fantastic. It really means the world to us,” Caylor said. 

Caylor spoke on the support from the community and how it helps the team. 

“The support from the local community is basically what keeps our program running. It means the world to us and all the money that they donate is why we’re able to have all the nicest stuff, eat at nice restaurants and get to go on trips. Like next year we will be able to go to Mexico and just stuff like that we would not be able to do at all without the support of the community,” Caylor said. 

Sophomore Utility/infielder Jenna Christeson said the fundraiser was a good experience for her and the team. 

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“It’s a pretty awesome experience to go through because you got to see all the supporters, like all the supporters that Saluki Softball has, and you may not even know they are. Of course they know who you are though they could name everybody on this team,” Christeson said. 

SIU softball also held a silent auction where Saluki gear, as well as Cardinals tickets and AirPods were bought. 

“They sold a bunch of Saluki gear, T-shirts, sweatpants, and  jackets. I think there was cornhole or bags in one of those games. Also  some air pods and just kind of a mixture of different items,” Jansen said. 

Saluki softball will start their season at Troy University in Alabama on February 11. SIU softball is looking to make the NCAA tournament for the third straight season after making it in 2019 and 2021 with 2020 being canceled due to COVID-19. 

SIU will have their home opener when they host Ball State on March 4 at 2:30 PM. 

Sports editor Ryan Scott can be reached at [email protected] or on twitter @ryanscott134

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