Recap | Softball Clinches Series Win Against Bradley With 6-3 Win

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Oct 5

1 PM

Softball

Parkland College

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Saturday afternoon, Southern Illinois softball (24-15, 15-1) welcomed Bradley (18-23, 7-9) to Charlotte West Stadium for the second game in their three-game series. After a quiet start, Southern's offense woke up and powered the Salukis to a 6-3 win over the Braves.

"I thought we showed up in a really good mindset today," said head coach Jen Sewell. "I asked the captains last night and talked to a few players about where is our adrenaline and energy from Tuesday and Wednesday night. And I thought they captured that today. Came out ready to go and paying attention."

Inside the Box Score

Emily Williams had the biggest hit of the game, knocking a grand slam out of the park to total four RBIs.
Amanda Knutson had a nice day at the plate, collecting two hits in three trips to the batter's box.
Starting pitcher Kaytee Dahlstrom won her sixth game of the year and struck out eight batters across five innings of work.

How It Happened
Both offenses were kept quiet until the bottom of the third when SIU loaded the bases with one out, but a double-play ended the scoring threat. Bradley then turned defense to offense in the top half of the fourth when a solo homer gave the Braves a 1-0 lead.

That is where the score stayed until the bottom of the fifth. As runners stood on first and second, Jackie Lis hit a bloop single to right field to score Knutson from second and tie the game at 1-1. Southern then loaded the bases before Williams launched a ball over the left field wall for a grand slam, giving SIU a 5-1 lead.

The next half inning, Bradley grabbed a pair of runs back. With runners on first and second, a single to left field drove one run in. A bunt single then loaded the bags, and a fly out to left plated another Braves run. The Salukis were able to retire the next two batters to end the inning with the scoreboard reading 5-3 in favor of Southern.

Southern was able to add some insurance in the bottom of the sixth. Mikaela Coburn stood on second while Addi Baker was at first. Knutson then grounded to the shortstop and Coburn was sent home, beating the throw to score; Baker and Knutson both advanced a base on the throw home. Unfortunately, the Salukis did not advance either of the runners and took a 6-3 lead into the final frame of play.

In the top of the seventh, Bradley managed to put one baserunner on, but it was not enough against McKenzie Newcomb, who shut the door to earn her second save of the season and clinch SIU's 6-3 win.

Up Next
SIU hosts Bradley again tomorrow, April 13, for the series finale. First pitch is set for 12 p.m.

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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