Hosting the MVC Championship for the first time in 11 years, the Salukis were hoping it would give them a bit of a home field advantage. After a 2-0 win over University of Illinois Chicago in their first game of the tournament, the Salukis will be moving on to the quarterfinals.

Moving into the quarter finals sets the Salukis up to take on the Illinois State Redbirds just six short days after going 0-3 to them to end the regular season.

The game remained scoreless for both teams until the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman Anna Carder sent a home run over the right center wall for her fifth home run of the season, sending Riley Hamilton in for her 36th RBI of the season.

Offensively the Salukis were led by Tori Schillian, Sidney Jones, and Jackie Lis who all singles and Hamilton who was walked and hit by a pitch.

Madi Eberle helped the Dawgs tally their 10th shutout and her 16th win on the season, only allowing one walk, while striking out three. The Salukis defense was perfect, having zero errors.

Southern Illinois will be back in action for their second game of the tournament at Charlotte West Stadium today (Thursday) at 7 p.m. with hopes to redeem themsleves from their 3-0 loss to the Redbirds last week.

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Sports reporter Joei Younker can be reached at [email protected].

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