Southern Illinois University
UIC
Salukis Take On UIC In Opening Round Of MVC Tournament
05/08/2023 | 5:46:00 | Softball
Carbondale, Ill. - The Salukis will begin postseason play this Wednesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. in the first-round of the MVC Tournament at Charlotte West Stadium. Southern Illinois comes into the tournament as the #6 seed and will take on the 11th seeded UIC Flames in the opening round. The Flames were one of just two-conference opponents the Dawgs didn't face during the 2023 season. The two teams last played in 2021 with the Salukis winning both.
SIU last won the MVC Tournament in 2021 before going on to the Tempe regional for their 13th NCAA Tournament appearance.
Despite having just nine wins on the season at 9-42 (7-20 MVC), UIC has won eight of its last 11 games including a sweep over Evansville and series win over Drake most recently. The Flames have played many close games recently including four extra-inning games in their last 11 as well. UIC won three of those four games in extras.
The Salukis return to Charlotte West Stadium where they went 20-3 through the regular season and most recently won in a 12-11 walk-off in their last home appearance against Murray State. Much like the Flames, the Dawgs have been in an abundance of close games recently including eight one-run decisions in their last 10 games.
Southern Illinois finished the regular season with a .295 batting average as a team, the second-highest in the MVC, with four Salukis in the top-10. Elizabeth Warwick leads the Salukis with a .375 average followed by - Emma Austin, Jackie Lis, and Rylie Hamilton who all total averages over .340. The same group of four also all rank in the top-15 in hits with Hamilton and Warwick leading with 54 each.
Madi Eberle leads the Salukis with 15 wins in the circle and a 3.23 ERA through 149.1 innings. Eberle ranks in the top-five of the Valley in both wins and innings pitched as the Salukis have relied on her presence in the circle all season.
Details on the tournament including bracket, team information, tickets, etc. can be found here.
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