Carbondale Reporter

The Southern Illinois University softball team secured a 10-4 victory over Valparaiso on Friday, marking their ninth consecutive win. The Salukis now hold a record of 14-14 overall and 6-0 in conference play.

In the game, Southern Illinois achieved 11 hits while allowing eight from Valparaiso. Both teams committed one error each during the match.

Freshman Emma Gipson earned her first win as a Saluki, pitching for 5.1 innings and conceding seven hits with four earned runs. Fellow freshman Kaytee Dahlstrom contributed with her first career save by pitching 1.2 innings, allowing only one hit and no runs, along with three strikeouts.

Southern Illinois showcased power hitting with four home runs against Valparaiso. Jackie Lis and Mikaela Coburn homered in the top of the first inning, while Erin Lee and Addi Baker followed suit in the seventh inning.

The game began strongly for the Salukis as they scored seven runs in the opening inning. Lis hit her eighth home run of the season to initiate scoring. Emily Williams then drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, followed by Coburn's three-run homer—her first collegiate home run.

Sage Grann added to the score with a double that brought Amanda Knutson home, and Emma Austin's RBI single further extended their lead to 7-0 at the end of the first inning.

Valparaiso responded by scoring three runs in their half of the inning, narrowing Southern Illinois' lead to 7-3. The score remained unchanged until Valparaiso added another run in the sixth inning, bringing it to 7-4.

In response, Southern Illinois increased their lead again in the seventh inning when Lee hit a two-run homer followed immediately by Baker's solo shot—her fifth home run this season—securing a final score of 10-4.

Dahlstrom closed out the game effectively despite allowing a walk and single late in play.

The Salukis are set to face Valparaiso once more on Saturday at around 2 p.m., continuing their road series.

For updates on Southern Illinois University softball team activities and news, fans can follow them on Twitter (@SIU_Softball), Facebook (Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball), Instagram (@SIU_Softball), or download their mobile app available on both App Store and Google Play Store.