Preview | Softball Set to Host Coach B Classic
02/27/2025 | 1:30:00 | Softball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – After three straight weekends of away tournaments, Southern Illinois softball (1-12, 0-0) is finally ready to host its first tournament of the season this weekend at Charlotte West Stadium. From Friday through Sunday, the Salukis will welcome Central Arkansas (5-8, 0-0), Purdue (9-6, 0-0), and Purdue Fort Wayne (2-6, 0-0) to Carbondale.
Details
-What: Coach B Classic
-Date: Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2
-Location: Charlotte West Stadium, Carbondale, Ill.
-Opponents: Central Arkansas (twice) | Purdue (twice) | Purdue Fort Wayne
-Live Results: Central Arkansas (Friday, 4 p.m.) | Central Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m.) | Purdue (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.) | Purdue (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) | Purdue Fort Wayne (Sunday, 4 p.m.)
-Watch: Central Arkansas (Friday, 4 p.m.) | Central Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m.) | Purdue (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.)| Purdue (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) | Purdue Fort Wayne (Sunday, 4 p.m.)
Last Time Out
Softball was in action this past Sunday and Monday at the San Marcos Classic, hosted by Texas State. In two games each versus Texas State and Kansas, SIU went 0-4.
Southern opened the Classic with a 4-1 loss to Kansas on Sunday. Haley Wilkerson drove in SIU's only run with a solo home run, her first of the season. In the circle, McKenzie Newcomb was excellent pitching in relief, throwing four innings of shutout-ball while allowing just one hit.
Later on Sunday, Southern lost to Texas State, 2-1. Emily Williams hit a solo shot over the centerfield wall to score SIU's lone run and Charley Pursley was the only Saluki to have a multi-hit game, going 2-3 at the plate. Newcomb and Emma Gipson were solid in the circle, combining for six innings while allowing just two runs.
Monday started with a 2-1 loss to Kansas. Emma Austin had two hits in the game while Mikaela Coburn crossed homeplate for SIU. Pitching-wise, Newcomb tossed six innings while allowing one earned run.
The Classic ended with a 13-0 loss to Texas State in five innings. Hayden Kurtz and Amanda Knutson were the only two Salukis to register a hit in the game.
The Series and the Matchups
Southern and Central Arkansas have matched up two times in the past. The last matchup came in 2024 when the Salukis lost in Conway, Ark., 10-2. SIU won the other matchup in 2022, a 9-6 win in a neutral site game.
As for SIU's shared history with Purdue, the Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 5-3. The two squads met up last season twice, splitting two games at the Michelle Short Memorial Classic. Southern won, 2-0, on February 24 before Purdue picked up a 13-6 win the following day.
Purdue Fort Wayne and SIU have played twice all-time, with Southern winning both matchups. The two games came in 2020 at that year's Coach B Classic, with SIU pulling out 9-0 and 8-0 victories.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Softball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball and on Instagram at @SIU_Softball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Details
-What: Coach B Classic
-Date: Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2
-Location: Charlotte West Stadium, Carbondale, Ill.
-Opponents: Central Arkansas (twice) | Purdue (twice) | Purdue Fort Wayne
-Live Results: Central Arkansas (Friday, 4 p.m.) | Central Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m.) | Purdue (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.) | Purdue (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) | Purdue Fort Wayne (Sunday, 4 p.m.)
-Watch: Central Arkansas (Friday, 4 p.m.) | Central Arkansas (Saturday, 4 p.m.) | Purdue (Saturday, 6:30 p.m.)| Purdue (Sunday, 1:30 p.m.) | Purdue Fort Wayne (Sunday, 4 p.m.)
Last Time Out
Softball was in action this past Sunday and Monday at the San Marcos Classic, hosted by Texas State. In two games each versus Texas State and Kansas, SIU went 0-4.
Southern opened the Classic with a 4-1 loss to Kansas on Sunday. Haley Wilkerson drove in SIU's only run with a solo home run, her first of the season. In the circle, McKenzie Newcomb was excellent pitching in relief, throwing four innings of shutout-ball while allowing just one hit.
Later on Sunday, Southern lost to Texas State, 2-1. Emily Williams hit a solo shot over the centerfield wall to score SIU's lone run and Charley Pursley was the only Saluki to have a multi-hit game, going 2-3 at the plate. Newcomb and Emma Gipson were solid in the circle, combining for six innings while allowing just two runs.
Monday started with a 2-1 loss to Kansas. Emma Austin had two hits in the game while Mikaela Coburn crossed homeplate for SIU. Pitching-wise, Newcomb tossed six innings while allowing one earned run.
The Classic ended with a 13-0 loss to Texas State in five innings. Hayden Kurtz and Amanda Knutson were the only two Salukis to register a hit in the game.
The Series and the Matchups
Southern and Central Arkansas have matched up two times in the past. The last matchup came in 2024 when the Salukis lost in Conway, Ark., 10-2. SIU won the other matchup in 2022, a 9-6 win in a neutral site game.
As for SIU's shared history with Purdue, the Boilermakers lead the all-time series, 5-3. The two squads met up last season twice, splitting two games at the Michelle Short Memorial Classic. Southern won, 2-0, on February 24 before Purdue picked up a 13-6 win the following day.
Purdue Fort Wayne and SIU have played twice all-time, with Southern winning both matchups. The two games came in 2020 at that year's Coach B Classic, with SIU pulling out 9-0 and 8-0 victories.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Softball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiSoftball and on Instagram at @SIU_Softball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
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1B/3B
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P
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OF
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INF/C
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INF/C
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