Southern Illinois University
32-24
Indiana St.
36-18
Softball tops Indiana State, 10-2, to claim MVC tournament title and NCAA bid
05/13/2023 | 7:05:00 | Softball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Salukis won the MVC Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon at Charlotte West Stadium in front of its home crowd with a 10-2 win over the #5 seed Indiana State. It's the Salukis third MVC Tournament trophy in the last seven years and fourth MVC tournament championship in school history (1991, 2017, 2021, 2023).
The Salukis automatic bid marks the 14th NCAA tournament appearance in program history.
"It speaks to the idea that the culture just continues here right," said Sewell following the win. "We don't have to make a big change to create a championship environment. Kay [Brechtelsbaeur] did it, Kerri [Blaylock] did it and we really just want to continue what has been started for a long time here."
A culture and tradition that first year head-coach Jen Sewell has long been a part of since joining the program as an assistant under former head coach Kerri Blaylock 15 years ago. Sewell takes the Salukis to their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance since joining the program in 2008 (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023).
Although the Salukis have won multiple MVC Tournaments over the past several years, this one marked the first at Charlotte West Stadium for the Salukis, making it that much more special as the Dawgs had the support of Saluki nation backing them for all four games.
"That's why I've always been here, stayed here, and was impressed when I played here as a visitor - they show up for everything and they give great energy, it doesn't matter what sport. To build that kind of crowd around a softball program is incredible. I'm sure it's impossible to play against, you probably almost feel overwhelmed but you have to love it as the home team. Charlotte West Stadium is so friendly to us and we've always appreciated that."
After relying on its defense and pitching through the first three rounds, Southern Illinois' bats got going early and often against the Sycamores. Tori Schullian started the rally with a two-run single through the middle with Indiana State defense being forced to play in with the bases loaded. The rally continued with three consecutive hits from Aubree Depron, Elizabeth Warwick, and Jackie Lis as the Dawgs got out to a 5-0 lead after the first two innings.
Madi Eberle got her fourth straight tournament start as she threw a five-inning complete game. Eberle was named the MVC Tournament MVP following the tournament as she totaled 23 innings while compiling a 4-0 record and 1.22 ERA while allowing just four earned runs, and five walks.
After a five-run second inning, the Dawgs added five more to their lead in the third on six hits. With runners on the corners following a leadoff single from Emma Austin and a double from Tori Schullain, Warwick tallied her second RBI-hit of the day as she went 3-for-4 on the day. With a double in the fourth inning, Warwick now has 18 on the year as she tied the SIU single-season record after hitting a walk-off home run the night before.
Jackie Lis, Rylie Hamilton, and Bailey Caylor all drove in runs on base hits before the inning was over as SIU led 10-0 after the first two and a half innings as the Dawgs officially entered run-rule territory. The Sycamores got two runs back on a home run in the top of the fifth but it wasn't enough as Madi Eberle went on to get the final three outs and send grant Southern with an automatic tournament bid.
Elizabeth Warwick, Jackie Lis, and Rylie Hamilton all joined Eberle on the MVC All-Tournament team as all three had multiple-hit games in the championship.
The Salukis will find out where they will head for the Regional on Sunday evening at 6 PM on ESPN2.
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All-Tournament Team
MVP: Madi Eberle, Southern Illinois
Jenna Nink, Evansville
Grace French, Bradley
Lauren Kehlenbrink, Valparaiso
Hailey Cowing, UIC
Mackenzie Hupke, Drake
Gracie Johnston, Missouri State
Hannah James, Murray State
Brandi LaFountaine, Illinois State
Samantha Heyer, UNI
Alexis Pupillo, UNI
Emma Summers, Belmont
Emily Cockrill, Belmont
Abi Chipps, Indiana State
Lexi Benko, Indiana State
Isabella Henning, Indiana State
Elizabeth Warwick, Southern Illinois
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
Rylie Hamilton, Southern Illinois
Elite 17: Danielle Henning, Indiana State, 3.99 GPA, Marketing
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Eberle, Madi (19-8)
L: Benko, Lexi (15-9)
Batting:
2B: Warwick, Elizabeth 1 ; Hamilton, Rylie 1 ; Schullian, Tori 1
RBI: Warwick, Elizabeth 2 ; Lis, Jackie 3 ; Hamilton, Rylie 1 ; Carder, Anna 1 ; Caylor, Bailey 1 ; Schullian, Tori 2
SF: Carder, Anna 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Warwick, Elizabeth 1 ; Lis, Jackie 1 ; Hamilton, Rylie 1 ; Jones, Sidney 1 ; Caylor, Bailey 1 ; Austin, Emma 2 ; Schullian, Tori 2 ; DePron, Aubree 1
Batting:
HR: Barrett, Kaylee 1
RBI: Barrett, Kaylee 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Welch, Hannah 1 ; Barrett, Kaylee 1
