Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Photo by: Sam Bischel
Feature | Softball Looks To Build On Success Heading Into 2024
02/09/2024 | 8:23:00 | Softball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — After reaching the NCAA Tournament last season, Saluki Softball is ready to hit the diamond once more and looking for a repeat performance of its conference championship season and NCAA Regional appearance from a year ago.
Recently picked second in the MVC preseason poll released by the league, head coach Jen Sewell said the standard SIU holds itself to remains the same.
"The expectations are the same every year here at SIU Softball: be in contention late for the conference title, win the conference tournament, and have our name called during the NCAA selection show," Sewell stated.
Outfielder Elizabeth Warwick was a spark plug from the leadoff spot for SIU in 2023, batting .385 with a 1.035 OPS and nine stolen bases. She focused on getting on base and trusted her teammates to drive her in.
"My mindset when I lead off is to do whatever I can to get on base," Warwick explained. "Our lineup is full of big hitters… and my job is to be on base or in scoring position for them."
Warwick along with shortstop Jackie Lis, outfielder Emma Austin, and pitcher Madi Eberle were selected to the preseason All-MVC squad. Lis broke records during her freshman season in 2023 and was named to the MVC All-First Team, MVC All-Tournament team, and the Freshman All-America team. She was also recently named the ninth-best shortstop in the country and 92nd overall player on D1Softball's lists top shortstop and player lists, respectively.
She tallied the most home runs in a game (three), most RBI in a game (eight), single-season home run record (17), single season RBI record (58), and most total bases in a season (125) ever for a Saluki. Her presence made the hitters around her better, including Warwick.
"Jackie is just a force in our lineup…I want to do anything I can to be on base for her. She is a competitive, hard worker, and I have greatly enjoyed playing with her on the left side of the field," Warwick said.
Another huge component to the Dawgs' success was their dominance at home. SIU went 24-3 at Charlotte West Stadium and it was an emphasis for the team to protect their home field.
"It's an assumption here that we want to make Charlotte West Stadium a tough place to play. That's our house," Sewell said.
The players have put in the work since last season's end, improving and working on their games to the point where their head coach has seen improvements from all 22 players on the roster. Between the experienced seniors and promising newcomers, Sewell expects all of her players to contribute in their roles.
"Every player on our roster took a step forward this off-season. The seniors deserve to go out on a big high. But the young ones are right there. I want every player to have their moment. And I think that's how deep we are – they are all going to get their time," she said.
Warwick discussed her off-season work in order to enhance her play defensively. She wants to help the team get as far as they can and has a team-first mentality on her quest to constantly improve.
"I always want to be better for my team, so I better myself in the summer and off-season with them in mind. We want to take that next step to Super Regionals and I want to contribute to that," she explained. "I have tried to stay in the best physical condition I can be in while also sharpening my defense. My errors have increased with each year I have played, so I want to sure things up in left field."
In her first full season as head coach of SIU, Sewell noticed the fight in her team.
"I think last year's team taught me a lot about how resilient a club can be. We had every reason to cash it in last year with injuries and bad luck. But we created our own luck and that just speaks to our culture," she said.
The culture built on strong chemistry has been a foundation in Saluki softball for decades. Sewell was with the team for 15 seasons before becoming the interim coach midway through the 2022 campaign and says the standard of being a family has remained the same for the program.
"I've established nothing new in terms of culture – that was here long before I was even thought of. If I contribute anything it's the toughness factor and that details matter," Sewell said. "We don't use the word family as a platitudinal phrase – it means something here. It means that even in our best moments and in our worst moments – we are going to take care of each other and hold each other to standard."
The team's chemistry was high last season, but early signs point to the team being stronger than ever in the clubhouse.
"Last year's team had incredible chemistry and we were convinced it couldn't get better than that. Then came this squad. This is a special squad, and we are going to enjoy them as much as we can," Sewell said.
Warwick explained how even with a gifted team, camaraderie will take them farther, which is what the Salukis possess.
"Team chemistry is everything. You can be as talented as you want, but if you don't want to be out on the field with your team, you'll never be successful. That is so far from the case with this team," she said. "We all get along so well and genuinely want everyone to be successful. We are a family."
With high expectations, great team chemistry, and a talented team, the Salukis are ready to return to the softball diamond.
"We are so excited to get out on the field and play softball. I know I have felt like a horse wanting to bust out of the gate," Warwick said. "I can't wait to see this team on the field. Our goal is always to make it to Regionals, but we want to take that next step and go to Supers. This will be an exciting year and I am so pumped to be a part of it."
The Salukis take the field today in a doubleheader at the Texas State Tournament where they will play five games. Their season will begin with a matchup against the Creighton Bluejays at 10 AM. Later, the Dawgs will take on the UTSA Roadrunners at 2:30 PM.
Recently picked second in the MVC preseason poll released by the league, head coach Jen Sewell said the standard SIU holds itself to remains the same.
"The expectations are the same every year here at SIU Softball: be in contention late for the conference title, win the conference tournament, and have our name called during the NCAA selection show," Sewell stated.
Outfielder Elizabeth Warwick was a spark plug from the leadoff spot for SIU in 2023, batting .385 with a 1.035 OPS and nine stolen bases. She focused on getting on base and trusted her teammates to drive her in.
"My mindset when I lead off is to do whatever I can to get on base," Warwick explained. "Our lineup is full of big hitters… and my job is to be on base or in scoring position for them."
Warwick along with shortstop Jackie Lis, outfielder Emma Austin, and pitcher Madi Eberle were selected to the preseason All-MVC squad. Lis broke records during her freshman season in 2023 and was named to the MVC All-First Team, MVC All-Tournament team, and the Freshman All-America team. She was also recently named the ninth-best shortstop in the country and 92nd overall player on D1Softball's lists top shortstop and player lists, respectively.
She tallied the most home runs in a game (three), most RBI in a game (eight), single-season home run record (17), single season RBI record (58), and most total bases in a season (125) ever for a Saluki. Her presence made the hitters around her better, including Warwick.
"Jackie is just a force in our lineup…I want to do anything I can to be on base for her. She is a competitive, hard worker, and I have greatly enjoyed playing with her on the left side of the field," Warwick said.
Another huge component to the Dawgs' success was their dominance at home. SIU went 24-3 at Charlotte West Stadium and it was an emphasis for the team to protect their home field.
"It's an assumption here that we want to make Charlotte West Stadium a tough place to play. That's our house," Sewell said.
The players have put in the work since last season's end, improving and working on their games to the point where their head coach has seen improvements from all 22 players on the roster. Between the experienced seniors and promising newcomers, Sewell expects all of her players to contribute in their roles.
"Every player on our roster took a step forward this off-season. The seniors deserve to go out on a big high. But the young ones are right there. I want every player to have their moment. And I think that's how deep we are – they are all going to get their time," she said.
Warwick discussed her off-season work in order to enhance her play defensively. She wants to help the team get as far as they can and has a team-first mentality on her quest to constantly improve.
"I always want to be better for my team, so I better myself in the summer and off-season with them in mind. We want to take that next step to Super Regionals and I want to contribute to that," she explained. "I have tried to stay in the best physical condition I can be in while also sharpening my defense. My errors have increased with each year I have played, so I want to sure things up in left field."
In her first full season as head coach of SIU, Sewell noticed the fight in her team.
"I think last year's team taught me a lot about how resilient a club can be. We had every reason to cash it in last year with injuries and bad luck. But we created our own luck and that just speaks to our culture," she said.
The culture built on strong chemistry has been a foundation in Saluki softball for decades. Sewell was with the team for 15 seasons before becoming the interim coach midway through the 2022 campaign and says the standard of being a family has remained the same for the program.
"I've established nothing new in terms of culture – that was here long before I was even thought of. If I contribute anything it's the toughness factor and that details matter," Sewell said. "We don't use the word family as a platitudinal phrase – it means something here. It means that even in our best moments and in our worst moments – we are going to take care of each other and hold each other to standard."
The team's chemistry was high last season, but early signs point to the team being stronger than ever in the clubhouse.
"Last year's team had incredible chemistry and we were convinced it couldn't get better than that. Then came this squad. This is a special squad, and we are going to enjoy them as much as we can," Sewell said.
Warwick explained how even with a gifted team, camaraderie will take them farther, which is what the Salukis possess.
"Team chemistry is everything. You can be as talented as you want, but if you don't want to be out on the field with your team, you'll never be successful. That is so far from the case with this team," she said. "We all get along so well and genuinely want everyone to be successful. We are a family."
With high expectations, great team chemistry, and a talented team, the Salukis are ready to return to the softball diamond.
"We are so excited to get out on the field and play softball. I know I have felt like a horse wanting to bust out of the gate," Warwick said. "I can't wait to see this team on the field. Our goal is always to make it to Regionals, but we want to take that next step and go to Supers. This will be an exciting year and I am so pumped to be a part of it."
The Salukis take the field today in a doubleheader at the Texas State Tournament where they will play five games. Their season will begin with a matchup against the Creighton Bluejays at 10 AM. Later, the Dawgs will take on the UTSA Roadrunners at 2:30 PM.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
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