Southern Illinois University
Ole Miss
Salukis Suffer First Loss of Season Against Ole Miss
02/16/2023 | 9:29:00 | Softball
The Southern Illinois Saluki softball team dropped its first game of the year at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge on Thursday night. The Salukis faced off with SEC opponent Ole Miss and fell by a final score of 13-0.Â
SIU got off to a good start putting runners in scoring position in each of the first two innings with four hits but were unable to bring any runners home. Aubree DePron, Jackie Lis, and Rylie Hamilton all extended their hitting streaks to six games as Jenna Christeson notched a base hit in her second start of the season.Â
"I liked how our offense came out. They were ready to go tonight," head coach Jen Sewell commented after the game.Â
The Rebels were able to put up a big inning in the second with nine runs behind six hits including a grand slam - marking just the second home run given up by the Salukis on the season. Prior to tonight's contest, Southern's rotation had given up just 11 runs through the first five games.Â
"Clearly we didn't set the tone on the mound tonight, but we are young there and they have to learn to make small adjustments in game," explained Sewell. "No game is bigger than another. But neither have pitched against an SEC opponent, so we go back and we learn. Both Hockerman and Stinson will learn and they can put it in their toolbox and use it the next time they are in this situation."
With the loss, the Salukis move to 5-1 on the season with a pair of games remaining in Puerto Vallarta before returning home for an eight-game homestand.
"I always appreciate our team's energy. We are still the same team that was 5-0 going into this game. One game doesn't take the magic out of us," said Sewell following the loss. "I want to see us again against this type of opponent again in a few months."
The Dawgs will make a quick turnaround as they takes on North Dakota State Friday morning at 10 a.m.
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