EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Scoring three runs in the top of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, Southern Illinois pulled away for an 11-1 win over the University of Evansville softball team on Sunday at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Box Score
Picking up three hits in the top of the first, the Salukis took the early 1-0 lead. Zoe Frossard and Jess Willsey recorded hits in the first as the Purple Aces loaded the bags before a pop out halted the rally. SIU added a sacrifice fly in the third to extend the advantage to 2-0.
Looking to tie the game in the bottom of the third, Morgan Adams hit a long fly ball over the wall that was inches away from tying the game. In the fourth, UE got on the board. Brooke Voss reached on a 1-out double before walks from Keghan Pye and Frossard loaded the bases for Niki Bode, who walked to cut the deficit in half.
Three SIU runs would score in the top of the fifth with a 2-run home run by Emily Williams highlighting the frame. They added three more in both the sixth and seventh to extend the lead before finishing with the 11-1 win. In total, the Salukis had 14 hits with Emma Austin and Williams posting three apiece. Evansville had five hits with Jess Willsey registering two.
Elle Jarrett was tagged with the loss. She gave up five runs in five innings. McKenzie Newcomb took the win. In 3 2/3 innings of relief, she gave up just two hits.
Seeding for this week's Missouri Valley Conference Championship will be announced when results from today are finalized. UE is slated to be the #11 seed with its opening game set for 8 p.m. on Wednesday in Des Moines.
