News | This Week in Saluki Athletics: March 31-April 6
03/31/2025 | 11:26:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Last week was another busy week in the world of Southern Illinois athletics. Softball and baseball are fully entrenched in conference play, while track and field and men's golf continued their spring seasons. As for this week, all those teams are back in action and women's golf is competing again too.
Track and Field
Track and field competed in St. Louis this past weekend at the WashU Distance Carnival and the WashU Invitational. There, several Salukis walked away with gold medals.
Christian Coleman was the men's 110-meter hurdles champion with his time of 14.72. Shane Ashton also grabbed first place on the men's side, doing so in the 400-meter event. On the women's side of the meet, Brianna Nieset was crowned the women's 1500-meter winner and Britany Ziemer took first in the 3000-meter steeple.
Southern now prepares to host the Bill Cornell Spring Classic, which takes place this Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5.
Softball (18-15, 10-1)
The week started with a pair of weekly honors for the Salukis. Jackie Lis was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week. The prior week, the shortstop hit .583 in five games while hitting two home runs and driving in six runs. She finished the week with a .773 on-base percentage and 1.333 slugging mark. Additionally, Emily Williams was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week. She batted .438 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, and a 1.250 slugging percentage. In the first game of a doubleheader versus Valparaiso, Williams drove in eight runs, tying the SIU single-game record for RBIs.
Softball then took a trip to Nashville this weekend for a three-game series against Belmont. The Salukis came out on top in the series, winning two of the three games.
SIU won the opener on Friday, 10-3. Southern hit four homers in the game, with Addi Baker and Amanda Knutson hitting one each on their way to two-RBI games. Pitching-wise, Emma Gipson, McKenzie Newcomb, and Kaytee Dahlstrom combined for just two earned runs.
Later on Friday the Salukis fell 5-0 for their first MVC loss. Anna Carder and Charley Pursley were the only Salukis to grab hits.
Southern picked up the series win on Saturday with a 3-0 win. Williams, Carder, and Knutson drove runs in for SIU while Newcomb pitched 5.1 innings of shutout ball.
The Salukis now prepare for a home series against Indiana State this weekend. On Friday, April 4, the two play at 5 p.m. They then square off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, before finishing the series at 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.
Baseball (20-7, 5-1)
Baseball had another successful week, going 5-0 with a conference series sweep of Bradley capping it off.
The week started with a home-and-home against UT Martin starting on Tuesday. Southern won the first game in Martin, Tennessee, 9-3. Matt Schark and Mason Schwalbach hit home runs, and Gabe Petrucelli had a multi-RBI game. Starting pitcher Tyler Timmerman was excellent, throwing 5.2 of one-run ball to earn the win.
SIU then run-ruled UT Marin in the back half of the home-and-home on Wednesday, 10-0 in seven innings. Jaxon Holder hit a grand slam while Schark hit another bomb. The Saluki pitching trio of Al Holguin, Matt Irvine, and Tanner Gerdes combined for the shutout.
On Friday, the Salukis visited Bradley for the first road, MVC series of the season. Southern had a historic game on Friday, downing Bradley 25-11; 25 runs is the most baseball has scored in a game since 2013. Four different Salukis hit homers, and John Lemm and Kaleb Hall led the way with five RBIs each. Six other SIU batters drove in at least two runs.
Offense was abundant again on Saturday when Southern won 13-4. Schark launched yet another homer on his way to five RBIs. Schwalbach, Holder, and Jordan Bach each had multi-RBI games as well.
Southern's time in Peoria concluded on Sunday with another 13-4 win. Once again, Schark homered, doing so twice in the game. Bach added a home run too, and Schwalbach collected himself three RBIs.
Four games are on deck this week for baseball. First, the team will visit Lindenwood on Tuesday, April 1, for a 3 p.m. game. SIU then returns home for a weekend series against MVC foe Missouri State. On Friday, April 4, the two play at 6 p.m. before facing off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. The series finishes on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m.
Swim and Dive
The 2024-25 schedule came to an end this week for swim and dive when Alex Santiago participated in the Men's NCAA Championships. Competing in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, the highlight came when Santiago reset the program and MVC record for the 100-yard butterfly with his time of 45.11.
The MVC also announced its All-Scholar-Athlete teams, and 18 Salukis made the cut. The group was headlined by Olivia Herron, who was named the Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Men's Golf
Men's golf spent last Monday and Tuesday at the Duck Invitational, hosted by Oregon. As a team, the Salukis placed 10th of the 15 teams competing.
Oliver Ulrich was the highest placing Southern golfer, tying for 39th with a score of +5 (218). Carsen Silliman was not too far behind Ulrich, tying for 45th place with his score of +6 (219).
This weekend, SIU will travel to Indiana for the Hoosier Collegiate, hosted on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6.
Women's Golf
It is a busy week for women's golf, who participate in their final two competitions before the MVC Tournament. Today, Monday, and tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, the team will be in St. John's, Florida, for the Coach Mo Classic. They then travel to Maryland for the UMD Terp Invitational on Sunday, April 6. The Invitational will run through Monday, April 7.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Track and Field
Track and field competed in St. Louis this past weekend at the WashU Distance Carnival and the WashU Invitational. There, several Salukis walked away with gold medals.
Christian Coleman was the men's 110-meter hurdles champion with his time of 14.72. Shane Ashton also grabbed first place on the men's side, doing so in the 400-meter event. On the women's side of the meet, Brianna Nieset was crowned the women's 1500-meter winner and Britany Ziemer took first in the 3000-meter steeple.
Southern now prepares to host the Bill Cornell Spring Classic, which takes place this Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5.
Softball (18-15, 10-1)
The week started with a pair of weekly honors for the Salukis. Jackie Lis was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week. The prior week, the shortstop hit .583 in five games while hitting two home runs and driving in six runs. She finished the week with a .773 on-base percentage and 1.333 slugging mark. Additionally, Emily Williams was named the MVC Newcomer of the Week. She batted .438 with four home runs, 14 RBIs, and a 1.250 slugging percentage. In the first game of a doubleheader versus Valparaiso, Williams drove in eight runs, tying the SIU single-game record for RBIs.
Softball then took a trip to Nashville this weekend for a three-game series against Belmont. The Salukis came out on top in the series, winning two of the three games.
SIU won the opener on Friday, 10-3. Southern hit four homers in the game, with Addi Baker and Amanda Knutson hitting one each on their way to two-RBI games. Pitching-wise, Emma Gipson, McKenzie Newcomb, and Kaytee Dahlstrom combined for just two earned runs.
Later on Friday the Salukis fell 5-0 for their first MVC loss. Anna Carder and Charley Pursley were the only Salukis to grab hits.
Southern picked up the series win on Saturday with a 3-0 win. Williams, Carder, and Knutson drove runs in for SIU while Newcomb pitched 5.1 innings of shutout ball.
The Salukis now prepare for a home series against Indiana State this weekend. On Friday, April 4, the two play at 5 p.m. They then square off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, before finishing the series at 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 6.
Baseball (20-7, 5-1)
Baseball had another successful week, going 5-0 with a conference series sweep of Bradley capping it off.
The week started with a home-and-home against UT Martin starting on Tuesday. Southern won the first game in Martin, Tennessee, 9-3. Matt Schark and Mason Schwalbach hit home runs, and Gabe Petrucelli had a multi-RBI game. Starting pitcher Tyler Timmerman was excellent, throwing 5.2 of one-run ball to earn the win.
SIU then run-ruled UT Marin in the back half of the home-and-home on Wednesday, 10-0 in seven innings. Jaxon Holder hit a grand slam while Schark hit another bomb. The Saluki pitching trio of Al Holguin, Matt Irvine, and Tanner Gerdes combined for the shutout.
On Friday, the Salukis visited Bradley for the first road, MVC series of the season. Southern had a historic game on Friday, downing Bradley 25-11; 25 runs is the most baseball has scored in a game since 2013. Four different Salukis hit homers, and John Lemm and Kaleb Hall led the way with five RBIs each. Six other SIU batters drove in at least two runs.
Offense was abundant again on Saturday when Southern won 13-4. Schark launched yet another homer on his way to five RBIs. Schwalbach, Holder, and Jordan Bach each had multi-RBI games as well.
Southern's time in Peoria concluded on Sunday with another 13-4 win. Once again, Schark homered, doing so twice in the game. Bach added a home run too, and Schwalbach collected himself three RBIs.
Four games are on deck this week for baseball. First, the team will visit Lindenwood on Tuesday, April 1, for a 3 p.m. game. SIU then returns home for a weekend series against MVC foe Missouri State. On Friday, April 4, the two play at 6 p.m. before facing off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. The series finishes on Sunday, April 6, at 1 p.m.
Swim and Dive
The 2024-25 schedule came to an end this week for swim and dive when Alex Santiago participated in the Men's NCAA Championships. Competing in the 50- and 100-yard freestyle and the 100-yard butterfly, the highlight came when Santiago reset the program and MVC record for the 100-yard butterfly with his time of 45.11.
The MVC also announced its All-Scholar-Athlete teams, and 18 Salukis made the cut. The group was headlined by Olivia Herron, who was named the Women's Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Men's Golf
Men's golf spent last Monday and Tuesday at the Duck Invitational, hosted by Oregon. As a team, the Salukis placed 10th of the 15 teams competing.
Oliver Ulrich was the highest placing Southern golfer, tying for 39th with a score of +5 (218). Carsen Silliman was not too far behind Ulrich, tying for 45th place with his score of +6 (219).
This weekend, SIU will travel to Indiana for the Hoosier Collegiate, hosted on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6.
Women's Golf
It is a busy week for women's golf, who participate in their final two competitions before the MVC Tournament. Today, Monday, and tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1, the team will be in St. John's, Florida, for the Coach Mo Classic. They then travel to Maryland for the UMD Terp Invitational on Sunday, April 6. The Invitational will run through Monday, April 7.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track and Field
1B/OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
Sprints/Hurdles
/ Track and Field
P
/ Softball
RHP
/ Baseball
P
/ Softball
INF/OF
/ Baseball
Breast/IM
/ Swimming & Diving
OF/INF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
Distance/XC
/ Track and Field
INF
/ Baseball
OF
/ Softball
Freestyle
/ Swimming & Diving
INF
/ Baseball
C/INF
/ Baseball
/ Men's Golf
RHP
/ Baseball
/ Men's Golf
INF/C
/ Softball
Distance/XC
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