SIU softball’s Jackie Lis made history in the Dawgs’ 4-3 loss to the Missouri State Bears on Wednesday.

Lis set one and tied another school record, rediscovering the power hitting that had been sorely lacking in recent games. In her dominating performance, Lis clobbered three home runs, tying her own school record for most home runs in a game.

With her third homer, and 15th of the year, the freshman, set a new SIU record for most home runs in a season, breaking a record that had stood for 18 years.

Outside of their struggles against Lis, Missouri State had a strong pitching outing. They gave up only six hits while earning six strikeouts, holding every Salukis besides Lis scoreless.

Lis homered in the top of the first to give the Dawgs a quick 1-0 lead, and would hit one again two innings later to double their lead at 2-0 in the third.

SIU had another scoring chance in the top of the fourth; Sidney Jones walked, Bailey Caylor hit a single, and Aubrey DePron loaded the bases with another single  However, two swinging strikeouts left all three runners stranded.

Missouri State managed three runs in the bottom of the fourth to go up 3-2, but Lis would not go away, hitting her third home run of the night, marking the last of SIU’s scoring for the night.

Missouri State held SIU scoreless for the final two innings while adding what ultimately became the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth, reaching the final score of 4-3.

Madi Eberle [14-7] had a solid start for the Salukis.  In five innings, she gave up seven hits but only three runs, all while throwing 98 pitches and striking out four.

Coach Jen Sewell sent Hannah Hockerman in to take over for Eberle with one out to go in the fifth. Hockerman gave up one run on two hits over 28 pitches.  Eberle returned to the game in the bottom of the sixth to get the final out, but with two runners on,  the Bears were able to sneak the tie-breaking run across home plate and set the game just out of reach for the Salukis.

Wednesday’s loss was the Dawgs’ ninth in their last 10 games, with the last four being decided by one score.  The loss dropped SIU to sixth in the MVC, with their 11-10 record placing them firmly ahead of seventh place Belmont and only one game behind  fifth place Indiana State.

The Salukis will return to action this weekend for their final regular season series when they play the Murray State Racers.  First pitch on Friday will be at 4 PM.  Saturday’s 2 PM game will also run on ESPN3.

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Sports Reporter Ryan Grieser can be reached at [email protected]

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