Game two set for Saturday at 2 p.m.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Scoring three runs in the third and eight in the sixth, Southern Illinois finished with an 11-0 victory over the University of Evansville softball team on Friday night at Tri-State Orthopaedics Field at James and Dorothy Cooper Stadium.
Each team recorded its first hit of the game in the second inning with Eliza Piggott reaching on a single for UE. Southern Illinois was the first to break through in the third, scoring three runs in four hits in the frame.
Looking to answer, Kynadee Warner and Taylor Howe picked up consecutive hits in the bottom of the third before SIU pitched out of the jam unscathed. The Salukis threatened again in the top of the fourth, loading the bases before clutch pitching by UE starter Kate Ridgway kept it a 3-run game. Rain caused a delay of roughly 20 minutes in the top of the frame.
Warner’s second hit of the game started another threat from the Aces in the bottom of the fifth. Walks by Niki Bode and Morgan Adams loaded the bases with two outs until a long fly out sent the game to the sixth. Southern Illinois extended the lead in the top of the sixth when a 2-run triple by Amanda Knutson made it a 5-0 contest. SIU continued to roll as they plated a total of eight runs in the inning to go up 11-0.
Piggott and Miriah Powell picked up hits in the bottom of the sixth but SIU was able to secure the shutout victyory. UE had six hits on the day with Powell and Warner finishing with two apiece. SIU had 13 hits with Sage Grann going 3-4 with three RBI and a run. Ridgway allowed eight runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings while Cassidy Gall finished the remainder of the game.
Saturday’s game is set for a 2 p.m. start. Seniors Zoe Frossard and Sydney Weatherford will be recognized after the game.
