Carbondale Reporter

Southern Illinois University (SIU) softball team secured a decisive 12-4 victory over Drake, the host school and No. 8 seed, during the Missouri Valley Conference tournament on Thursday. The win propels the Salukis into the semifinals where they will face No. 4 seed Illinois State on Friday, May 9.

The game saw SIU score 12 runs, marking their highest run total in a conference tournament since 1992. Freshman pitcher Emma Gipson earned the win by allowing five hits and four runs with two strikeouts over four innings.

Notable performances included home runs from Anna Carder and Emily Williams in the third inning, contributing to a seven-run frame following a five-run second inning. Emma Austin went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored, while Addi Baker added two hits and one run. Carder led with three RBIs as Williams and Jackie Lis also contributed with two RBIs each.

Gipson started strong by navigating through early trouble in the first inning without conceding any runs. SIU's scoring began in the second inning with Sage Grann's RBI single bringing home Addi Baker. Austin's single extended their lead to 2-0 before Lis' single drove in three more runs for a 5-0 advantage.

In the third inning, Erin Lee and Mikaela Coburn scored before Carder's three-run homer pushed SIU ahead to a commanding 10-0 lead. Following Lis' walk, Williams hit her season's 17th home run—tying her own program record set in 2023—extending SIU's lead to an insurmountable 12-0 margin.

Despite Drake adding four late runs across the fourth and fifth innings, SIU maintained control to secure their semifinal spot.

Fans can follow Southern Illinois University’s progress through Twitter at @SIU_Softball or Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball for more updates.