Recap | Salukis Lose to Appalachian State, Auburn on Opening Day

AUBURN, Ala. – SIU softball (0-2, 0-0) opened their 2025 season on Friday afternoon with a doubleheader at the Tiger Invitational. Today, they faced off with Appalachian State (1-1, 0-0) and Auburn (2-0, 0-0). SIU could not muster up much offense throughout the day, falling to Appalachian State 9-3 and to Auburn 6-1.

What Coach Has to Say
"I think day one was a big reminder that we have to play defense," says head coach Jen Sewell. "We faced way too many batters and extended both ballgames too long. Game one felt like we never grabbed the game and took it. Game two with Auburn we fought but did not make three key plays. But I liked our personality and presence as a team in that game. We talked before and after games about not trying too hard - especially hitters. Same with pitchers who I thought three way too many pitches outside the zone and did\ not trust their break."

Game One: 9-3 L vs. Appalachian State
Inside the Box Score

Anna Carder and Addi Baker both hit solo home runs for the Salukis.
Jackie Lis was the other SIU batter to record an RBI.
Starting pitcher Kiana McDowell went 3.1 innings deep while allowing four hits and three earned runs. She struck out three.

How It Happened
Appalachian State got off to a hot start, sending eight batters to the plate in the top of the first. Luckily, McDowell and the Salukis were able to limit the damage and hold Appalachian State to two runs.

SIU leadoff hitter Emma Austin reached base off a walk to start Southern's offense and she eventually swiped second for her 47th career stolen base, moving her into sixth place on the Salukis' all-time stolen base leaderboard. Unfortunately for SIU, Austin only got as far as third base before Appalachian State recorded three outs.

After a quiet second inning and top of the third, SIU recorded their first run in the bottom half of the third. With Maleah Blomenkamp in scoring position, Lis singled to center field to drive her in and pull Southern back within one.

However, that deficit ballooned in the fourth inning when the Mountaineers scored four runs off a combination of McDowell and relief pitcher Kaytee Dahlstrom. Now trailing 6-1, SIU got one run back in the bottom of the fourth thanks to a leadoff homer from Baker.

The fifth and sixth innings went by with zero offense from either side. Looking to extend their lead in the top of seventh, Appalachian State came out and tacked on another three runs to make it 9-2. Down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh, SIU showed signs of life when Carder powered a ball past the center field wall for a solo home run. But a quick flyout from Baker signaled out number three and clinched the 9-3 win for Appalachian State.

Game Two: 6-1 L vs. Auburn
Inside the Box Score

Amanda Knutson was responsible for the Salukis' only run of the day when she hit a solo home run in the third to temporarily tie the game.
Austin, Carder, Blomenkamp, and Emily Williams all had one hit apiece.
Emma Gipson ate up the bulk of innings for SIU, tossing 4.1 innings of one earned-run ball.

How It Happened
Auburn struck first in the bottom half of the first off a throwing error on Southern's part. But Gipson and some stellar defense were able to keep the deficit at one long enough for Knutson to knot up the game in the third with her home run.

"I will say Emma Gipson threw her guts out today," said Coach Sewell. "Big time pitches in front of an SEC crowd."

However, Auburn retook the lead in the bottom fourth thanks to a two-run double. A Tiger two-run homer in the fifth added another pair of runs to their lead, which now stood at 5-1. Finally, a sacrifice fly in the sixth added some more insurance for Auburn, but it was of little necessity as SIU's offense could never get out of the mud and lost 6-1.

Up Next
The Salukis are right back at it tomorrow, Saturday, facing off with Auburn again at 12:30 p.m. They then take on North Carolina at 5:30 p.m. to end the day.

"Tomorrow we need to settle in," says Coach Sewell. "Ideally I would like to see our energy flip a little - more flying around on defense and calming down at the plate."

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.

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