Southern Illinois News

Salukis Sweep Doubleheader Against Valpo

The Southern Illinois Salukis remained unbeaten in the Missouri Valley and at home as it swept the doubleheader against Valparaiso Friday afternoon to improve to 21-3 (4-0 MVC). The Salukis gave up just two hits between both games that each ended in five innings - winning the first 11-0 and game two by a final of 12-0.  

Freshman Jackie Lis set a single-game record for SIU in game two as she went 3-for-3 with three home runs and five RBIs, becoming the first ever Saluki to have three home runs in a game. Lis leads the Valley with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs on the year as she's now had three games with multiple long balls in the past week. 

Hannah Hockerman earned the win in the circle in game one as she improved to 5-1 on the year. Hockerman gave up just one hit that came in the fifth and final inning as she finished with a season-high eight strikeouts. 

The Salukis totaled 10 hits in the first game as they were led by Erin Lee, Sidney Jones, and Emma Austin who all went 2-for-3. Lee recorded a season-high three RBIs as she drove in at least one run with each of her hits. 

Game two was more of the same for Southern as they recorded a season-high 14 hits in just 26 at-bats including five extra-base hits. 

Emma Austin and Sidney Jones had multi-hit games for the second time on the day. Austin went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run as Jones was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Rylie Hamilton went 2-for-2 with a walk, three runs, and two stolen bases as well as making several key plays for SIU at third base. Elizabeth Warwick went 2-for-4 with two RBIs as she totaled three hits and three RBIs in the doubleheader. 

Freshman Haley Wilkerson recorded her first career hit and RBI in her third at-bat of 2023 with a single in the second inning to score Jones. 

Elliott Stinson picked up the win in game two to improve to 8-1 on the season. Stinson threw a perfect game through four innings as she gave up her one and only base runner in the fifth inning on a bloop single to shallow right field. The freshman recorded a season-low zero walks as she struck out three in five innings. 

The Salukis will look to improve to 5-0 in the Valley on Sunday as they host the Beacons for the third and final game of the series. First pitch is set for 12 PM at Charlotte West Stadium.

Original source can be found here