Recap | Softball Run-Rules Appalachian State to End Tiger Invitational, 11-2

AUBURN, Ala. – Southern Illinois softball (1-4, 0-0) concluded their first tournament of the year, the Tiger Invitational, on Sunday with a game against Appalachian State (1-4, 0-0). The Salukis used their best offensive performance of the tournament to run-rule Appalachian State, 11-2, and pick up their first win of the season.

"I think that is what this team is capable of," said head coach Jen Sewell. "A lot of teams on a Sunday would have come in here pretty flat."

Inside the Box Score

Jackie Lis had a monster day, going 2-3 while knocking two home runs out of the park. She totaled four RBIs.
Mikaela Coburn had a two RBI day, and Haley Wilkerson, Erin Lee, and Amanda Knutson had one RBI each.
McKenzie Newcomb went the distance for her first win in a Saluki outfit. The transfer pitched five innings, allowed two earned runs, and struck out seven.

How it Happened
Lis got the Salukis rolling in the bottom of the first when her first home run of the season scored herself and Emma Austin. This was Lis' 34th career home run, tying the junior for fourth on the all-time SIU career home run leaderboard.

Southern struck again in the bottom of the second. Lee and Knutson both reached base to start the half before a Coburn single scored Lee. Later in the inning, Coburn herself would score when Wilkerson hit into a fielder's choice. After two, SIU's lead stood at 4-0.

Appalachian State was able to cut that lead in half in the top of the third thanks to a two-run home run. However, Southern was able to get those runs back in the bottom half of the inning. With Lee and Charley Pursley in scoring position, Coburn reached first because of a throwing error on Appalachian State's pitcher while Lee and Pursley scored. This play was originally ruled as an out at first, but a challenge from SIU's coaching staff reversed the call.

SIU's offense kicked things into high gear in the bottom of the fourth. Wilkerson started the inning by drawing a walk on a 10-pitch battle. Lis then hit her second home run of the day to up the lead to 8-2. Following that, as Addi Baker stood on first, Lee doubled to drive another run in. Knutson followed that up with a triple to make it 10-2. Finally, Coburn hit a sacrifice fly to score Knutson and set the score at 11-2.

With Southern in position for a run-rule victory, Newcomb needed just four batters to force three outs and secure SIU's first win of the season.

Up Next
Softball will be back on the road starting on Thursday, Feb. 13, when they travel to Starkville, Mississippi, for the Snowman Tournament. SIU's first match will be versus the host school, Mississippi at 6 p.m.

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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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