After four weeks of away games, the Southern Illinois University Salukis women’s softball team will return to Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Illinois, for a three-game series against Valparaiso. The series marks the start of Missouri Valley Conference play and begins with a doubleheader on Friday, March 6, followed by a single game on Saturday, March 7.
The Salukis enter conference action with an 11-9 record after going 3-2 at the Lipscomb Purple and Gold Challenge. They secured two wins over Western Carolina and closed out the tournament with a victory against Lipscomb. Both losses during the event were to Purdue.
In their last outing at the tournament, Southern Illinois overcame a late deficit when Hayden Kurtz hit a two-run double in the seventh inning to give her team a lead. Kurtz had also hit her first collegiate home run earlier in the weekend as a pinch hitter against Western Carolina.
Mikaela Coburn led Southern Illinois with six hits and a .375 batting average during the tournament. Sydney Potter contributed another home run and now has 11 this season, tying her for fourth nationally. Emily Delgado led pitchers with an ERA of 3.18 across 11 innings pitched and earned two wins. Freshman Brooklynn Danielson posted a team-low WHIP of 1.20 along with 13 strikeouts.
Southern Illinois scored 18 runs over five games at Lipscomb while posting a .256 batting average and .382 on-base percentage as a team.
Historically, Southern Illinois has dominated its matchups against Valparaiso, holding a 17-1 all-time record in their series and winning the last sixteen meetings. Last year, SIU swept Valparaiso in Indiana, outscoring them by wide margins including an eight-RBI performance from Emily Williams that tied a program record.
Valparaiso comes into conference play with an overall record of 9-8 but has yet to host any home games this season. The Beacons have performed well offensively so far this year, leading the league in both batting average (.326) and total hits (149), while their pitching staff holds an ERA of 4.82.
Sydney Potter was recently recognized by Softball America as one of college softball’s top catchers: “Potter’s 11 home runs are tied for fourth in the NCAA, while her 28 RBI are tied for 23rd.” She is also ranked among SIU’s leaders in slugging percentage and total bases.
Hayden Kurtz had notable performances during last week’s tournament: “Kurtz came off the bench as a pinch hitter… proceeded to belt a two-run home run,” before delivering more key hits that helped secure victories for SIU.
Pitcher Emily Delgado is nearing her career milestone of 200 strikeouts; she currently sits just eleven away from that mark after recording strong numbers early this season: “Delgado is 3-2 in 11 appearances so far… has not allowed a run” in three of her last four outings.
Statistically within their conference, Southern Illinois ranks second in home runs (18), hits (141), and walks (81). Their pitching staff leads in innings pitched (134.1) but holds fifth place overall for ERA at 4.01.
Junior Emily Williams leads SIU hitters with an average of .344 this season while freshman pitcher Hailey Lucas boasts one of the lowest ERAs among league starters at just over two runs per game (.242).
The Salukis participate in NCAA Division I competitions according to their official website, maintain membership within the Missouri Valley Conference (source), host games at Charlotte West Stadium (source), compete specifically within collegiate athletics (source), and are based out of Carbondale (source).
Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois University Salukis women’s softball through social media channels or by downloading their mobile app.
