Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University (SIU) softball team is set to begin its 2025 season at the Tiger Invitational in Auburn, Alabama. The Salukis will face Appalachian State, Auburn, and North Carolina over five games from February 7 to February 9.

Head coach Jen Sewell expressed anticipation for the upcoming games: "I think we can talk about expectations all we want but it's time to go out and test ourselves against the best," she said. The team is coming off a successful 2024 season where they won their second consecutive Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Tournament Championship and participated in the NCAA Regionals.

Last year, SIU had a record of 44-11 overall and 23-4 in MVC play. They advanced through the tournament with key performances from players like Elizabeth Warwick and secured their spot in the NCAA Regionals held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although they won against Cal twice, they were unable to overcome No. 9 LSU.

The Salukis have lost several impactful players from last season but return with strong veterans such as Jackie Lis and Emma Austin. Lis received preseason recognition as one of the top shortstops nationally by D1Softball and was named on Softball America's list of top Division I players. Austin led the conference in stolen bases last year.

New additions to the team include seven freshmen and five transfers who bring varied experiences from other programs. Notable newcomers include pitcher Kaytee Dahlstrom, infielder/outfielder Sage Grann, and transfer McKenzie Newcomb who has accolades from her previous tenure at Samford.

The Salukis have faced their upcoming opponents previously with mixed results; they have yet to win against Appalachian State but hold a favorable record against Auburn.

Fans can follow SIU's progress throughout the season via social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or through their mobile app available on both iOS and Android devices.