Southern Illinois University
13-6
DePaul University
7-11
Salukis extend win streak to eight with two wins on Saturday
03/07/2020 | 5:40:00 | Softball
Southern wins two on day two of Saluki Invitational
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University softball team won both of its games on day two of the Saluki Invitational Saturday. The Salukis won game one against the reigning Big East Champion DePaul Blue Demons, 1-0 behind a gem from freshman pitcher Sarah Harness and followed with a 3-1 victory over Western Illinois in the nightcap.
Southern's pitchers were the story of the day Saturday. Harness went the distance in the win over the Blue Demons, as she allowed just three hits- all singles- and struck out seven while walking just two. The back-to-back MVC Newcomer of the Week has now throw 22.1 consecutive scoreless innings.
Carlee Jo Clark improved to 3-1 on the season after she tossed her first complete game win of her career. The Carol Stream, Ill. native threw seven innings, scattered seven hits and allowed just one earned run.
SIU played clean defense to back Harness and Clark, as it extended its errorless streak to 23 innings after it went without an error in both wins on Saturday.
"Our pitching and defense was really solid today and because of that, it allowed our hitters to get comfortable," 21st-year head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "I'm really proud of how we hung in there, especially against WIU, and found a way."
Against the Blue Demons, the Salukis scored the only run they needed in the bottom of the third. Maddy Vermejan drew a one-out walk, stole second and came in to score on a two-out single by Susie Baranski.
That was more than enough for Harness, though the final frame wasn't without drama. Back-to-back one-out singles gave DePaul life in the top of the seventh. A two-out passed ball advanced the runners to second and third but Harness struck out DePaul's final batter to seal the win.
Baranski notched her eighth multi-hit game of the season in the win over DePaul, as she went 2-for-3 with SIU's lone RBI. Aubree DePron and Megan Brown also notched base hits in the victory.
In Southern's win over Western Illinois, the Leathernecks got out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. The Salukis answered with a run courtesy of a Kyleigh Decker RBI-triple in the bottom of the fourth and completed the comeback with a RBI-double by Ashley Wood and a RBI-single by Megan Brown in the bottom of the sixth.
Six different Salukis notched a base hit and eight players reached base in the win over the Leathernecks.
Southern has now won eight-straight and 14 of their last 15 games.
"Our two freshmen pitchers are throwing really well right now and I'm really proud of them," Blaylock said. "We are preparing for conference play and we've got one more game tomorrow to continue to do that."
Southern closes out play at the Saluki Invitational on Sunday with a single game against IUPUI. First pitch is set for 4:45 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Harness, Sarah (8-4)
L: Natalie HALVORSON (1-3)
Batting:
RBI: Baranski, Susie 1
SH: DePron, Aubree 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vermejan, Maddy 1
SB: Vermejan, Maddy 1
