Saluki softball defeated the Loyola Ramblers (13-11) in an extra-inning thriller by 5-4 Sunday afternoon.

The win secured the first series win for the Salukis against Missouri Valley Conference opponents.

The Salukis recorded 14 hits, as the bats were alive throughout the game

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Junior Brianna Jones toed the rubber for SIU, tossing 7.2 innings while striking out seven.

Southern was first to strike in the third inning when sophomore catcher Katelyn Massa blasted a three-run home run.

Sophomore second baseman Maddy Vermejan followed with an RBI double in the fourth inning to give SIU the 4-0 lead.

However, Loyola responded in the fifth inning with two RBI hits to make the score 4-2.

Then, the Ramblers began the sixth with runners in scoring position at second and third base with no outs.

Senior Savanna Dover was sent to relieve Jones, but both runs scored after a passed ball and then a sacrifice fly following.

Then, Jones returned to the circle to get out of the inning and continued to pitch well throughout the rest of the game.

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The Salukis got a runner in scoring position in the eighth inning after failing to execute a double play, causing junior first baseman Kyleigh Decker to move to second.

Then, Vermejan blasted a walk-off double for the SIU victory.

Southern will now play at Saint Louis on Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Sports writer Ryan Demer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @RyanDemer_DE 

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