Sophomore first baseman Hayden Kurtz dug into the box in game one of a doubleheader on the road against Missouri Valley Conference rivals, the Murray State Racers, on Tuesday, April 21. The Salukis trailed by a run with no one out and the tying run at second. With a powerful swing, Kurtz sent a drive to the left field corner. The ball smacked the foul pole with a loud ping, and Kurtz put the Salukis past the Racers with a big-time home run in the top of the sixth

APRIL 21: SIU 4, MURRAY 3

The Saluki offense struck first in the top of the third inning when junior designated player Emily Williams crushed a double to center field. Sophomore left fielder Sage Grann came all the way around from first base to score on the Williams double, and the Salukis were ahead 1-0.

The Racers responded in the bottom half of the third with an RBI single up the middle that knotted up the game at 1-1.

Junior center fielder Mikaela Coburn hit an infield single to shortstop with Kurtz on second base. SIU capitalized on an errant throw to third base, and Kurtz came across home plate to score while Coburn advanced to second on the error. 

The Racers took their first lead of the day on a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. The long ball left the Salukis trailing the Racers 3-2 after five innings. 

Junior third baseman Amanda Knutson lined a double down the left field line to start the top of the sixth inning. Kurtz stepped into the box with the tying run on second base and no outs. Kurtz jumped all over a pitch and sent a moonshot to left field that hit the foul pole and left it rattling. That two-run go-ahead home run was Kurtz’s sixth long ball of the season. The Dawgs now lead the Racers by a score of 4-3.

Freshman pitcher Brooklyn Danielson took the start in the circle for the Salukis. Danielson pitched four and one-third innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while obtaining five strikeouts of Racer hitters. Danielson threw 92 pitches in her start and exited the game in the fifth inning.

Junior Pitcher and this past week’s MVC pitcher of the week, Emily Delgado, entered the game. Delgado threw two and two-thirds innings, not allowing a hit or run, and just one Racer reached base on a walk. Delgado’s scoreless outing was good enough to lead the Salukis to a 4-3 victory. Delgado received the win and moves to 9-4 this season.

APRIL 21: MURRAY 3, SIU 0

The Saluki offense struggled, breaking a streak of 14 straight games without being shut out. SIU hit 5-26 in the game, a 0.192 batting average as a team for Southern Illinois in the game. However, leadoff hitting was a bright spot. Saluki hitters leading off an inning went 3-7 in the contest. 

The Dawgs just couldn’t seem to find a clutch hit with runners on, hitting 1-13 with runners on base. Three Saluki baserunners were stranded on base in the last two innings, and that was the difference in the game.

Knutson led the way for SIU, going 2-3 at the plate. Coburn, Williams and Senior second baseman Erin Lee each had a hit as well. Those five hits were the only hits of the ballgame for Southern Illinois. 

Freshman pitcher Hailey Lucas was the Saluki starter in the circle for game two. Lucas pitched four and one-third innings, surrendering seven hits and two earned runs. Delgado relieved Lucas in the fifth and pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing two hits and an earned run. Delgado takes the loss and falls to a 9-5 record on the year. Sophomore pitcher Emma Gipson pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth. 

The Salukis fell to the Racers by a final score of 3-0. The Dawgs’ record is now 29-15 overall, and 18-6 in the MVC. Murray State is now 19-22 on the season and 11-9 in MVC play.

The Salukis return home on Wednesday, April 29, to play one game against SIU Edwardsville. 

Sports Reporter Aaron Carnahan can be reached at [email protected]

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