
Recap | Magical season comes to an end for Saluki Softball at NCAA Regional
05/19/2024 | 4:35:00 | Softball
BATON ROUGE, La. — A magical season that saw Southern Illinois pile up 44 wins and make the first NCAA Regional finals appearance in school history, finally came to an end on Sunday.
After rallying to beat Pac-10 Cal in an elimination game on Saturday night, a relentless SIU team, that won the hearts of its fans with a never-say-die attitude, fell to No. 9-ranked LSU on Sunday, 9-0.
The Salukis (44-11) finished the Regional with a 2-2 mark, dropping two games to the host Tigers (43-15) of the Southeastern Conference. LSU hit three home runs in today's game, and pitcher Kelley Lynch tossed a five-inning one-hitter.
Throughout the season, SIU battled until the final out, highlighted by hustling plays and dramatic come-from-behind victories. In true Dawgs fashion, Saluki right fielder Bailey Caylor broke up Lynch's no-hit bid with two outs in the final inning.
Today was the final appearance in maroon and white for a class of eight seniors that set a high standard for the program, delivering back-to-back MVC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
The program has a bright future, of course, as both the MVC Player of the Year (Jackie Lis) and Pitcher of the Year (Maddia Groff) are slated to return in 2025.
After rallying to beat Pac-10 Cal in an elimination game on Saturday night, a relentless SIU team, that won the hearts of its fans with a never-say-die attitude, fell to No. 9-ranked LSU on Sunday, 9-0.
The Salukis (44-11) finished the Regional with a 2-2 mark, dropping two games to the host Tigers (43-15) of the Southeastern Conference. LSU hit three home runs in today's game, and pitcher Kelley Lynch tossed a five-inning one-hitter.
Throughout the season, SIU battled until the final out, highlighted by hustling plays and dramatic come-from-behind victories. In true Dawgs fashion, Saluki right fielder Bailey Caylor broke up Lynch's no-hit bid with two outs in the final inning.
Today was the final appearance in maroon and white for a class of eight seniors that set a high standard for the program, delivering back-to-back MVC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.
The program has a bright future, of course, as both the MVC Player of the Year (Jackie Lis) and Pitcher of the Year (Maddia Groff) are slated to return in 2025.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kelley Lynch (9-2)
L: Groff, Maddia (30-5)

Batting:
2B: Raeleen Gutierrez 1
HR: Taylor Pleasants 1 ; Maci Bergeron 1 ; Karli Petty 1
RBI: Ciara Briggs 1 ; Taylor Pleasants 3 ; Raeleen Gutierrez 1 ; Maci Bergeron 2 ; Karli Petty 2
SH: Ciara Briggs 1
SF: Ciara Briggs 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sierra Daniel 1 ; Taylor Pleasants 1 ; Ali Newland 1 ; McKenzie Redoutey 1 ; Maci Bergeron 1 ; Madyson Manning 1 ; Karli Petty 2 ; Kelley Lynch 1
HBP: Ali Newland 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
Players Mentioned
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