Southern Illinois University
8-2
Northern Kentucky
3-5
Salukis Go 2-0 on Day Two of Coach B Classic
02/25/2023 | 9:38:00 | Softball
Southern's offense was held to just a pair of runs in each game but all three pitchers had strong outings for the Salukis in back-to-back games.
"Our pitching staff really shut it down today. Super impressed by all three of them, I thought they were fresh," said head coach Jen Sewell following the pair of wins. "I thought they threw some big pitches in big moments."
Elliott Stinson made her second consecutive start against Northern Kentucky in game one. Through four innings of work the freshman Stinson gave up just one run, two hits, and three walks. Stinson earned her third win of the season and moved to 3-0 to start the 2023 season.Â
The Salukis' two runs came in the second inning on a pair of RBI-doubles from Addi Baker and Erin Lee. Emma Austin scored the first run of the day for Southern after sparking SIU's rally with a two-out triple.
The Norse got a run back in the third inning but on a sacrifice fly but were able to leave a runner on and get out of the inning with the lead. Hannah Hockerman replaced Stinson in the top of the fifth on her way to earning second save of the season. Hockerman shut down NKU through the final three innings, retiring nine straight batters with one strikeout as the Salukis held on to a 2-1 win.Â
"For Stinson and Hockerman to face NKU on back to back days was a big deal," explained Sewell. "It proves they can go in conference on back to back days. That left Eberle really fresh. All three just came to pitch. We couldn't be more pleased."
Game two of the doubleheader was much of the same for the Salukis in another 2-1 win over Big East preseason favorite DePaul. Madi Eberle made the start in the circle for the Salukis and got her second complete game win while improving to 4-1. Giving up just one unearned run on the day, Eberle finished with six strikeouts while giving up just four hits and two walks.Â
DePaul tied the game in the fifth at 1-1 after an error with two outs was followed by a walk and single from the Blue Demons. The game wouldn't be tied for long however as Emma Austin once again sparked the Salukis' offense. Notching her second hit of the game, Austin doubled to lead off the inning and would later score on a single from Aubree DePron to take a 2-1 lead. Emma Austin was 3-for-3 on the day with a double, a triple, and three runs while Aubree DePron had a hit in each game as she extended her hitting-streak to eleven games.Â
"Were we perfect on offense? No. But we have been really good for two weeks now so it doesn't surprise me we had a little slow down there. But when we are sticking it on the mound and on defense - we can lull a little offensively," said Sewell.
Eberle made quick work of DePaul in the final two innings, giving up just one base runner before retiring the final six Blue Demons in order to close out SIU's second 2-1 win on the day.Â
Next up for the Salukis is a 3 PM start with SIUE in the final game of the 2023 Coach B Classic.Â
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Stinson, Elliott (3-0)
L: Lauryn Hicks (0-1)
S: Hockerman, Hannah (2)
Batting:
RBI: Sydni Barnes 1
SH: Olivia Pastin 1
SF: Sydni Barnes 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ella LeMonier 1
SB: Tatum Biddle 1
Batting:
2B: Baker, Addi 1 ; Lee, Erin 1
3B: Austin, Emma 1
RBI: Baker, Addi 1 ; Lee, Erin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Austin, Emma 1 ; Baker, Addi 1
CS: DePron, Aubree 1
HBP: Gamm, Kerrigan 1
