Softball falls to Wichita State, 5-2

Sunday, April 25

Wichita, Kan.

12:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

30-17, 15-4

Wichita State

16-27, 6-12

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	7	2
Wichita State	1	1	0	2	1	0	X	5	9	2

04/25/2010 | 12:00:00 | Softball

Box Score

April 25, 2010

Box Score

By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com

WICHITA, Kan. - The Southern Illinois Softball team dropped its final game of a three-game series at Wichita State Sunday, after sweeping the Shockers in a doubleheader on Saturday.

A shaky defense and some bad luck resulted in a 5-2 loss for SIU, as the Salukis move to 30-17 overall, 15-4 in Missouri Valley Conference action. The eighth-place Shockers improve to 16-27, 6-12 in Valley play.

The Shockers started off with a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after loading the bases with one out. The Salukis got out of the jam quickly getting the three outs, while allowing only one run to cross the plate.

Wichita State put up its second run of the game in the bottom of the second for a 2-0 lead over Southern Illinois. The Shockers loaded the bases for the second time of the day, but SIU was able to get out of the inning before any runs would score. WSU extended its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Heather Gerritse drove in two runs for a 4-0 lead.

A homerun from Jamie Hull in the bottom of the fifth put the Shockers up 5-0, but SIU answered, scoring in back-to-back innings during the final two innings of play.

A long fly ball from Alicia Garza was misplayed by center fielder Lindsie Mitts, driving in one run and allowing Garza to reach third base. Cristina Trapani hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh, closing the gap to 5-2. Chelsea Held doubled to the center field wall, but the offense couldn't seem to get going as the Salukis fell 5-2.

Danielle Glosson threw four innings before being relieved by Alex Peters. Combined, the junior duo struck out three while walking only three. Glosson was handed the loss on the day, now sitting at 18-12 overall.

Garza contributed to the uncharacteristically quiet Saluki offense with her RBI in the sixth inning, propelling SIU to its first run of the day. Trapani earned two hits in three at-bats, including a home run in the seventh inning. Held also went 2-for-3 at the plate, grabbing a stand up double in the final inning of play.

SIU (15-4) still remains the No. 1 team in the MVC, with Illinois State (13-3) not far behind. The Redbirds face Missouri State in a doubleheader Sunday, where they will battle for the top spot.

The Salukis will head to SIU-Edwardsville for a single game with the Cougars on Thursday, before welcoming Northern Iowa to Charlotte West Stadium on Saturday. Saturday's doubleheader and Sunday's single game are both scheduled for a noon start.