For the first time since 2019, Southern Illinois scored a whopping 20 runs against Evansville to secure the series win on Saturday. This tied the SIU softball record for runs scored in a single game.
The Dawgs hosted the Purple Aces this weekend for a three-game Missouri Valley match-up.
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Maddia Groff took the circle for the Salukis in the Friday opener and delivered a stellar performance, going four scoreless innings while striking out eight. Kiana McDowell finished off the game with a scoreless fifth.
Addi Baker and Emma Austin were key contributors for SIU’s offense in the
9-0 win. Baker went two for two including a two run homer in the first in a four RBI effort while Austin went three for three, pushing three runs across on a triple in the fourth.
Saturday’s matchup saw Madi Eberle get the start for the Dawgs. Eberle went five innings, surrendered three runs, and struck out four in her outing.
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There was no shortage of impact bats in the 20-3 rout of the Aces on Saturday.
Elizabeth Warwick gave SIU the lead with a two run infield single in the second, Jackie Lis drove in a pair for the Salukis and Sidney Jones went two for four with 3 RBI, including a two-run double in the second.
Hannah Hockerman started the series finale on Sunday, but after two outs and one run given up, Maddia Groff replaced her in the circle.
Groff was nigh unhittable in relief. She picked up the remaining 19 outs, sitting 15 down on strikes while only giving up two singles and a walk.
Katherine Johnson drove in two runs with a double and a sacrifice fly, Jackie Lis picked up her 11th homer of the year with a solo shot in the third and Erin Lee plated one run with a single in the sixth.
With the sweep over Evansville, SIU improved to 30-8 (14-3 MVC). The Salukis currently sit in first place in the Valley, they will take on second place Belmont (26-11, 12-4) next weekend in Carbondale.
Nick Pfannkuche can be reached at [email protected]. To stay up to date with all your southern Illinois news, follow the Daily Egyptian on Facebook and Twitter.
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