Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with expanded coverage, including reactions from Maddia Groff, Rylinn Groff, and head coach Jen Sewell, as seen in the Feb. 14 edition of the Daily Egyptian.
Any time an athlete makes their debut with a team, they hope to have a good first game. If things go their way, they can even make a big impact and lead their team to a win.
For freshman Maddia Groff, her Saluki softball debut was nothing short of perfect.
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On Friday, Feb. 9, Groff became the first Saluki to pitch a seven-inning perfect game, not allowing a baserunner in SIU’s 3-0 victory over Creighton in the Texas State Tournament in San Marcos, Texas.
Not only was it a historic performance in program history, but it also came in Groff’s first career start. She would go on to pitch 4.2 perfect innings in the latter half of a doubleheader later that day as the Salukis won 6-5 in extra innings against UTSA.
Through just her first day as a Saluki, Groff has sat down the first 35 batters she has faced across 11.2 innings as a Division I athlete.
To add another element of improbability to the story, Groff’s battery mate for the perfect game was none other than her twin sister Rylinn Groff.
Rylinn also scored the winning run in the team’s extra-inning win against UTSA, serving as the runner placed on second base at the beginning of the eighth.
The Groff twins came in with plenty of expectations to be impact players immediately, but perhaps no one expected a perfect day from the newest Salukis.
The Salukis entered Saturday 2-0 with games against Northwestern State on Saturday, and against host Texas State on Saturday and Sunday.
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For extended coverage of Maddia Groff’s perfect game, see the full story here or check out the Feb. 14 edition of the Daily Egyptian.
Managing Editor Brandyn Wilcoxen can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @BrandynWilcoxen. To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.
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