SIU outlasts WIU in extras

Saturday, March 4

Carbondale, Ill.

12 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

9-8

Western Illinois University

4-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	3	6	1
Western Illinois	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	2	3	2

03/04/2017 | 9:37:00 | Softball

Box Score

By: By Drew Hoffman, SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, ILL. - The softball program was back in action for their second game in the Coach B Classic, today. The team took down Western Illinois University in eight innings, 3-2.

Southern was the away team for the eight inning dual, and found early success with getting runners on. In the top of the first, Susie Baranski grabbed a two out single and then advanced to second after Shaye Harre reached on catcher's interference. SIU had runners at second and first with two outs, with Sydney Jones up next. Jones hit a monster fly ball to left field, but the left fielder was able to make the catch, ending the inning. Baranski and Harre would later be the only two base runners the team had in the first three innings.

On the defensive side, Savanna Dover started the game for SIU. The junior held the Leathernecks hit-less the first four innings and only allowed three runners. Dover finished the game with four strikeouts and gave up one hit.

The top half of the fourth is where the Salukis got their first run. After a single by Jones, Katelyn Massa hit a blooper in shallow left field. The shortstop was able to make the grab for the second out of the inning and then attempted to pick off Jones at first. The throw was off target, resulting in an error and a free base for Jones. The risking play proved to be costly for WIU, as Merri Anne Patterson doubled the very next at bat, scoring Jones from second, giving SIU a 1-0 advantage.

Southern kept a one run lead till the bottom of the sixth inning. Western lead off with a ball hit into right field. Baranski was able to glove some of the ball, but was unable to hold on, putting a runner at second. This was the last batter Dover faced, leaving the game after five innings of work. Brianna Jones came in relief and picked up an out on a sacrifice bunt, the runner advancing to third in the process. Jones got another quick out, but then WIU picked up a two out single to tie the game up. That was the only damage that was done, keeping the score tied going into the seventh inning.

Neither team added a run to the board in the seventh, pushing the game to extras. The eighth started by placing Brittany Turner on second base because of the international tie breaker rule. Savannah Fisher bunted Turner to third with ease, bringing Eyrika Brandenburg to the plate with one out. After working the count to 1-1, Brandenburg poked a single into left field, scoring Turner from third, and the Salukis weren't done. Maddy Vermejan was up next and took one off the arm for a free trip to first base. Baranski then grabbed the biggest hit of the game, doubling to the gap for another Saluki run. The freshman ended the game with three of SIU's six hits.

In the bottom half of the seventh the Leathernecks were able to score the runner placed at second but no one else, ending the game with a score of 3-2.

The win puts Southern back above .500 at, 9-8, and 1-1 in the Coach B Classic. The team will play two tomorrow, starting with a 1 p.m. matchup with Northern Illinois followed by a 5 p.m game with Murray State.