Softball sweeps at FGCU Invitational, opens season 4-0
SIU softball gathers for an between inning talk from head coach Kerri Blaylock during the first game of the doubleheader vs. Three River Community College. The Salukis would win both games on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021 at the Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois.
Saluki softball started the season off right, racking up four total wins in back-to-back days of doubleheaders this weekend in Fort Myers, Fla.
Friday’s slate saw the Salukis defeat Long Island 3-0, and the host Florida Gulf Coast 6-3. Then, they defeated Binghamton 4-1, and UNC Greensboro 9-6 on Saturday.
Outfielder Aubree DePron shined throughout the weekend, collecting nine singles in 12 at-bats and stealing four bags. She had multi-hit games in all four of SIU’s contests.
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Contrasting her contact-first approach was Rylie Hamilton, who tallied 14 total bases and eight RBI, including two home runs. Jackie Lis joined DePron and Hamilton as Salukis to get hits in all four games.
On the mound, newcomer Hannah Hockerman shined in her Saluki debut with four no-hit innings to start Friday’s opener against Long Island. Madi Eberle finished the game in relief, giving up just one run in a combined shutout.
Freshman Elliott Stinson had a complete-game one-hitter of her own on Saturday against Binghamton. She also struck out nine batters in that performance.
After an unbeaten 4-0 start, the Salukis will get their passports ready for a trip across the border. SIU will head to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, for a four-day stretch against Kansas, Ole Miss, North Dakota State and Sacramento State starting on Wednesday. Notably, Ole Miss began the season ranked on the edge of the D1Softball Top 25.
Staff reporter Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.
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