EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Southern Illinois scored seven runs in the second inning on their way to a 17-1 victory over the University of Evansville softball team on Friday evening at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.

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Box Score

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Following a scoreless first inning, the Salukis pounced with seven runs in the second.  SIU recorded four runs and four hits in the frame.
 
Evansville's first hit came from the bat of Hannah Hood in the bottom of the second but UE could not get on the board.  Southern Illinois came back with three runs in the third and four in the fourth to extend the lead to 14-0.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Purple Aces pushed their first run across the plate.  Taylor Howe hit a leadoff single and Callie Meinel followed with a walk.  Dori Brown singled to left field to bring in Howe.  It marked Brown's second career hit.
 
Three more Salukis runs scored in the fifth push the advantage to 17-1. 
 
Elizabeth Warwick led the Salukis with seven runs batted in.  Emma Austin and Aubree DePron scored four runs apiece.  Evansville tallied four hits.
 
Tomorrow, the teams resume the series with a 2 p.m. contest.