Southern Illinois University’s women’s softball team began its participation in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge by splitting a doubleheader, recording a 22-7 win against Eastern Kentucky and a 3-1 loss to UTSA.
The 22 runs scored in the opening game marked the program’s highest single-game output since April 16, 1993. Head coach Jen Sewell commented on the team’s offensive performance: “Obviously, really pleased with our offense in game one. The pitchers were good, it just took some convincing that they needed to pitch to contact. I thought we did a great job of just settling in, adjusting and scoring despite a lot of pitching changes.”
Emily Williams hit her first two home runs of the season during the victory over Eastern Kentucky. Sydney Potter also contributed with her sixth home run in as many games. Williams finished game one going 3-for-3 with two home runs and seven RBIs, while Potter went 2-for-4 with six RBIs.
Charleston Pursley collected three hits and four runs scored, while Sage Grann walked three times and also scored four runs. Outfielders Brooklyn Pritchett and Maleah Blomenkamp combined for six runs scored.
Pitcher Emily Delgado earned her first win of the season by allowing one run on two hits over 3.1 innings pitched.
In the second game against UTSA, Southern Illinois lost after giving up a walk-off two-run homer in the seventh inning. Pitcher Hailey Lucas allowed three earned runs across six innings with no walks and three strikeouts.
“Game two was so well pitched by Hailey Lucas,” Sewell said. “That game is on the offense. But we will learn. The righties needed to adjust to the inner half and get some better spacing. But now we know. This team won’t get beat twice like that. We trust them. They’ve put a lot of work in, it’s still early. I want to see their response tomorrow.”
The Salukis tied UTSA at 1-1 after an RBI double from Blomenkamp brought Pursley home in the sixth inning but could not take advantage in their final at-bat before losing on UTSA’s walk-off hit.
Southern Illinois University Salukis Women’s Softball competes at NCAA Division I level as part of the Missouri Valley Conference official website. The team plays its home games at Charlotte West Stadium located in Carbondale, Illinois official website.
The team will continue play Thursday against Long Beach State before facing UTSA again later that day.
