Southern Illinois News

Salukis Finish FGCU Invite a Perfect 4-0

 The Southern Illinois Saluki softball team continued its winning ways Saturday as the Dawgs wrapped up the Florida Gulf Coast Invitational beating Binghamton 4-1 and ending the day with a 9-6 win over UNC Greensboro. 

"I'm really just proud of our players and our staff. Every single one of them contributed to a great moment this weekend. We've had some great teams here at SIU Softball, but none that buy in this much," said head coach Jen Sewell following the day. "I wish every fan could experience their energy on the field the way our coaching staff gets to.  Each player wants the best for the next player."

The Salukis finished the FGCU Invite a perfect 4-0 throughout the two-day tournament, marking the second 4-0 start in the past three seasons for SIU.

Freshman Elliott Stinson started in the circle for the Salukis in game one of the doubleheader. In just her second collegiate start, Stinson threw her first career complete game as a Saluki. Through seven innings, the right-hander struck out nine batters while giving up just one hit and one run.

"We got to see some of the old and the new," said coach Sewell. "DePron, Hamilton and Warwick are their usual selves. But to get to see Hockerman, Stinson, Lis, and Carder shine was fun. And there are more stars to come."

The Salukis broke the 0-0 tie in the bottom of the second inning with a rally that began with a double from Tori Schullian who would later score on a sac-fly from Addi Baker. Just two innings later Southern Illinois was able to break the game open and extend its lead. After Elizabeth Warwick led the inning off with a walk, Rylie Hamilton tripled to drive Warwick home and extend SIU's lead. In the very next at-bat freshman Anna Carder hit a two-run home run, the first of her collegiate career. 

Binghamton fought its way back in the sixth by loading the bases but the Salukis allowed just one run and were able to get out of the jam with a 4-1 lead which would result in the final. 

Game number two for the Salukis got off to a hot start in favor of SIU once again. Liz Warwick led the bottom of the first inning off with a walk followed by a Jackie Lis single before Anna Carder would drive the pair home with a double down the line giving SIU a 2-0 lead. 

The Dawgs offense continued to produce in the second inning as Aubree DePron led off with a single and a steal. DePron is batting .750 (9-for-12) with four stolen bases through Southern's first four games. DePron would later go on to score as Kerrigan Gamm sparked a series of doubles for the Dawgs. Following Gamm's RBI double, Warwick and Lis both notched RBI doubles of their own. Lis would later go on to score SIU's fourth run of the inning on a passed ball giving the Salukis a 6-0 advantage. 

UNCG would go on to cut Southern's lead to 6-4 in the bottom of the second and even the game at 6-6 in the third. However the game wouldn't be tied for long as Rylie Hamilton would go on to blast her second three-run home run in as many days to put the Salukis back on top 9-6 in the fourth inning. 

Madi Eberle entered the circle for the Salukis in the third inning replacing Hannah Hockerman. After giving up a pair of unearned runs in the third, Eberle would go on to hold UNCG scoreless in the final four innings and earn her second win of the year. 

"The best part about this squad is even if we make a mistake, or we strike out or we miss a pitch - no one hangs their head. We just go back to work. Next pitch - next play. They trust each other," explained coach Sewell. "I like our eagerness to learn and to get better. And I can't say enough about the chemistry on this team. We needed every player on our roster this weekend."

Eight different Salukis got a hit over the weekend as SIU outscored its opponents 22-10 throughout the four games. 

"Four wins is four wins. And I thought we won in all kinds of ways. And the best part is we can get even better - this is a marathon not a sprint. We weren't perfect, but we were good when we needed to be," said Sewell.

Next up for the Salukis is a four-day tournament at the Puerto Vallarta Challenge from Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Saturday, Feb. 18. The Salukis will begin play at 12:00 p.m. CST on Wednesday against Kansas.

Original source can be found here