Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's softball team is set to face off against the Belmont Bruins in Nashville, Tennessee, this week. The Salukis enter the matchup on an impressive 11-game winning streak, boasting a conference record of 8-0. The games are scheduled to take place at E.S. Rose Park, starting with a doubleheader on Friday, March 28, and a game on Saturday, March 29.

The Southern Illinois team comes off a strong performance in their recent Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) matches. They secured a two-game sweep against Missouri State and a three-game series victory over Valparaiso. SIU's recent successes have been marked by offensive bursts and notable contributions from players like Erin Lee, Anna Carder, Sage Grann, Addi Baker, and Emily Williams. Williams, in particular, had a standout game against Valparaiso, tying the SIU single-game RBI record with eight.

Jackie Lis and Emily Williams received MVC honors following their recent performances. Lis was named MVC Player of the Week with a .583 batting average, featuring two home runs and six RBI over five games. Williams, recognized as Newcomer of the Week, had a .438 average with four home runs and 14 RBI.

Historically, the Salukis hold a 5-3 lead over the Bruins in previous matches. Their last encounter was a 2024 sweep by SIU. Belmont, holding a 23-8 overall record, enters the series after a productive stint against Illinois State. Notably, Maya Johnson and Rylee Spindler received MVC accolades for their performances, with Johnson achieving 32 strikeouts over 19 innings.

The upcoming series between SIU and Belmont will be an exciting test for both teams as they continue their MVC campaigns. Fans can follow the action with live results and viewing options available for each game.