The Southern Illinois University Salukis Women’s Softball team secured a 5-3 victory over Lipscomb on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee. The win came after a late rally in the seventh inning, where the Salukis scored three runs to overcome a one-run deficit.
Sophomore Hayden Kurtz played a key role by hitting a go-ahead, two-run double with the bases loaded. Kurtz later scored on an error, increasing Southern Illinois’ lead to 5-3. “Kurtz crushed a go-ahead, two-run double with the bases-loaded to give the Salukis a 4-3 lead. The first baseman came around to score on an error, extending the advantage to 5-3,” according to the team.
Freshman pitcher Brooklynn Danielson started for Southern Illinois and struck out four batters over three innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Junior Emily Delgado earned the win by pitching four scoreless innings, giving up only three hits and recording four strikeouts with two walks.
Kurtz and junior Emily Williams each collected two hits during the game. Kurtz led the team with three runs batted in. Erin Lee and Sage Grann both reached base three times through two walks and one hit apiece. The Salukis drew seven walks as a team and finished with eight hits and no errors against Lipscomb.
Southern Illinois opened scoring in the first inning when Williams drove in Maleah Blomenkamp with an RBI single. Kurtz followed with another single that brought home Williams for a 2-0 lead.
Lipscomb responded in their half of the third inning by hitting back-to-back home runs, taking a 3-2 lead. Delgado entered in relief during the fourth inning and kept Lipscomb from adding to their total.
Infielders Amanda Knutson and Jordan Stewart reached base via walks in the sixth inning but were left stranded as Southern Illinois remained behind entering the seventh.
During their final at-bat, Southern Illinois loaded the bases before Kurtz’s double gave them back the lead. “With the bases-loaded and one out in the inning, Kurtz delivered a two-run double, scoring Sydney Potter and Sarah Cook,” according to game details provided by SIU Athletics.
Delgado closed out Lipscomb in the bottom of the seventh despite allowing one walk, preserving Southern Illinois’ win at the conclusion of Lipscomb’s Purple and Gold Challenge tournament. The Salukis finished 3-2 at this event.
With this result, Southern Illinois moves to an overall record of 11 wins and nine losses after playing all games away from home so far this season. The team will return to Carbondale for its home opener—a conference doubleheader—against Valparaiso on Friday afternoon.
The Southern Illinois University Salukis Women’s Softball program competes at NCAA Division I level as part of collegiate athletics within Missouri Valley Conference membership. Home games are played at Charlotte West Stadium located in Carbondale, Illinois.
Fans can follow updates about Southern Illinois University Salukis Women’s Softball through Twitter (@SIU_Softball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball), Instagram (@SIU_Softball), or by downloading their mobile app from major app stores.
