Salukis split doubleheader with Ramblers

Saturday, April 20

Chicago, IL

12 p.m.

Southern Illinois University

27-11, 0

Loyola University Chicago

23-19, 0

Southern Illinois

Loyola Chicago

Photo by: Will Becque

04/20/2019 | 8:44:00 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 1 Photo Gallery Game 2 Photo Gallery

Southern’s 24 hits in the doubleheader were its most in consecutive games this season.

By: Will Becque, SIUSalukis.com

CHICAGO — The Southern Illinois University softball team split its Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader with the Loyola Ramblers on Saturday, April 20. After the Ramblers (23-20, 7-12 MVC) walked-off in eight innings in the opener, Southern responded with an 8-3 win in the nightcap.

"Im really happy that we hung in there and got the split," 20th-year head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "I thought we hit the ball extremely well all day. Quite honestly, the first game was just a good ball game and they got one more swing at it than we did. In the second game, I thought Claire did a really nice job in the circle and we came back and got a much-needed win."

In the second game, SIU plated runs in four of the first five innings. The onslaught began in the first inning as Southern used four hits and a walk to manufacture two runs highlighted by RBI-singles from Jenny Jansen and Ashley Wood.

After starting pitcher Claire Miller blanked the Ramblers in the bottom of the first, Southern hung a crooked number with a three-spot in the second. Maris Boelens hit her first collegiate double to lead off the second and Vermejan followed with a hit by pitch. Jansen brought both runners in with a two-run double and Katelyn Massa followed with a single back up the middle that brought in Jansen to put SIU ahead 5-0.

SIU added to its lead in the top of the fourth. Ashley Wood hit a single and Kyleigh Decker brought her in to score with her first triple of the season.

Loyola cut SIU's lead in half with a three-run fourth. Southern pushed its advantage back to five with a two-run fifth, highlighted by a RBI-single by Massa.

Miller went the distance to improve to 8-3 in the circle this season. The reigning MVC Newcomer of the Week allowed three earned runs on eight hits and struck out three to earn the victory.

The Salukis pounded out 13 hits in the game two win- which included three three-hit games. Jansen went 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI while Massa was 3-for-4 with two RBI. Boelens, who was making just her second start in April, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored. The two extra base hits were the first of Boelens' young career while her three hits were a career-high.

"I thought our kids played really good defense and made some tough plays in the wind," Blaylock said of the doubleheader. "They were both well played games and we feel fortunate to get the split."

In game one, the Ramblers took a 3-0 lead after the first. Southern answered with two runs in both the second and third innings before Loyola countered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the third to tie the game at 4-all.

Both teams settled in from there as the two combined for just six hits throughout the remainder of the contest.

With two outs and a 2-2 count in the bottom of the eighth, SIU starting pitcher Brianna Jones appeared to paint the outside corner for an inning ending strikeout. Alas, the home plate umpire signaled ball three and the next pitch was sent over the left field fence to give Loyola a walk-off, 5-4 win.

Jones took the tough luck loss in the opener, as she went seven and two-third innings and allowed five earned runs on 10 hits while striking out four.

At the plate, Vermejan went 3-for-4 with a hit by pitch and two RBI. Massa was 2-for-3 while Decker was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Southern's 24 hits in the doubleheader were its most in consecutive games this season.

The Salukis are back in action this weekend when they travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa for their final road conference series of the regular season. Saturday's doubleheader between the Panthers and the Salukis is set to begin at 12 p.m. while Sunday's game is slated for an 11 a.m. start time.