Southern Illinois softball took the field on Saturday entering its third game in 27 hours. After just five innings, the Salukis celebrated on their home field after clinching a Missouri Valley Conference tournament title in a 10-2 win over the Indiana State Sycamores (32-25, 17-10).

The win also means SIU will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament, marking its 14th appearance. It will be the program’s fourth such trip in the last seven years.

The Salukis improved their overall record to 36-18, including a record of 24-3 at Charlotte West Stadium which hosted the MVC Tournament.

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Madi Eberle pitched a complete game in Saturday’s championship game, adding to her incredible tournament performance. Eberle tallied 23 total innings across SIU’s four games, including three where she went the distance.

Eberle earned All-Tournament MVP honors, and was joined by teammates Elizabeth Warwick, Jackie Lis and Rylie Hamilton on the All-Tournament team.

Warwick tallied three hits in the championship game, driving in two runs and scoring one of her own. She and Lis helped wrap up a five-run rally in the second inning, giving the Salukis a lead they would never relinquish. They then sparked another stretch in the third, where Southern pushed its lead beyond the run-rule margin.

The NCAA Tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday, May 14 at 7 p.m. in a selection show on ESPN2. Once the Regional matchups are set, the Salukis will play next weekend, beginning their quest for a Women’s College World Series bid for the first time since 1978

Staff reporter Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen.

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