Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University's softball team faced a challenging game against Evansville, resulting in a 2-0 defeat on Saturday. This match was crucial as it was the second last of the regular season for the Salukis.

In terms of performance, Southern Illinois recorded six hits, whereas Evansville finished with seven. The Salukis made no errors, unlike Evansville, which had one. Kaytee Dahlstrom, with a season record of 8 wins and 3 losses, suffered the loss. She allowed three hits and one earned run over one inning. McKenzie Newcomb pitched for five innings, conceding four hits, one run, and securing three strikeouts.

Emma Austin, a senior, got a triple in one of her four at-bats. Another notable performance was from Anna Carder, who hit a double in one of her three attempts.

The game commenced with Emma Austin's triple, marking her ninth career achievement of this nature. However, she remained stranded at third base at the end of the first inning. Evansville secured a lead with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half. Their position strengthened to 2-0 due to a one-out, RBI double in the fifth inning.

Despite Southern Illinois leaving two players on base in the sixth inning, Evansville maintained their lead with a flawless seventh inning, concluding the game.

Southern Illinois looks to wrap up their regular season on Sunday. A win or a Belmont loss in the upcoming final games will clinch them the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title.