Preview | Softball Set for MVC Championship Rematch at Northern Iowa
04/17/2025 | 5:00:00 | Softball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois softball (25-15, 16-1) travels to Cedar Falls, Iowa, this weekend for a three-game set against Northern Iowa (24-14, 12-6). This series will be the first time the squads face off since SIU defeated the Panthers in last year's Missouri Valley Conference championship.
Due to possible inclement weather, the schedule for the weekend has been shifted. Instead of the original Friday-Sunday schedule, there will now be one game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
Details
-What: Northern Iowa Series
-Date: April 18-19
-Location: Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex, Cedar Falls, Iowa
-Opponent: Northern Iowa
-Live Results: Friday (5 p.m.) | Saturday (2 p.m.) | Saturday (5 p.m.)
-Watch: Friday (5 p.m.) | Saturday (2 p.m.) | Saturday (5 p.m.)
Last Time Out
The Salukis were last in action this past weekend when they swept a three-game series against Bradley.
SIU took the first game of the series 6-3 on Friday. Anna Carder had two hits, including a home run to total two RBIs. Sage Grann had three RBIs herself, and Amanda Knutson added one.
The Salukis won 6-3 again on Saturday. Emily Williams had the biggest hit of the day with a grand slam. Knutson and Jackie Lis added RBIs, and Kaytee Dahlstrom struck out eight to earn her sixth win of the year.
Sunday featured the series finale, and the Salukis were able to complete the sweep with a 9-3 win. Williams homered for the third time in her last four games while Emma Austin had a multi-RBI game. McKenzie Newcomb picked up her 15th win of the season after throwing 2.1 innings of shutout ball.
Weekly Honors
Following the Bradley sweep, a pair of Salukis were honored with weekly awards from the MVC.
Williams was named Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week. The sophomore transfer from Morehead State hit three home runs in last week's five games, driving in 11 runs while posting an .824 slugging percentage. She is currently second in the MVC in home runs with 12 and is first in RBIs with 39. This is Williams' first Player of the Week title and third Newcomer of the Week win.
Additionally, Newcomb was awarded Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. In five appearances, Newcomb picked up three wins and two saves. She posted a 1.79 ERA in 15.2 innings of work while striking out 18 and walking two. Newcomb and her 1.84 ERA rank second in the conference.
The Series and the Matchup
Southern holds the all-time advantage head-to-head against Northern Iowa, winning 81 games compared the Panthers' 49. They last met in the 2024 MVC Championship game in Normal; the Salukis won that game 3-2 to clinch their second straight MVC title. Prior to the playoffs, the Panthers took two out of three games in their regular season series in March. The Salukis have not won at Northern Iowa since 2019 when SIU swept Northern Iowa in a three-game series.
The Panthers roll into the series with a 24-14 overall record and a 12-6 mark in conference play. They were last in action on Tuesday and Wednesday this week versus Drake. Northern Iowa won the first game with an 8-7 walkoff. However, Drake found redemption on Wednesday by winning 12-11 in an offensive shootout.
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.
Due to possible inclement weather, the schedule for the weekend has been shifted. Instead of the original Friday-Sunday schedule, there will now be one game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
Details
-What: Northern Iowa Series
-Date: April 18-19
-Location: Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex, Cedar Falls, Iowa
-Opponent: Northern Iowa
-Live Results: Friday (5 p.m.) | Saturday (2 p.m.) | Saturday (5 p.m.)
-Watch: Friday (5 p.m.) | Saturday (2 p.m.) | Saturday (5 p.m.)
Last Time Out
The Salukis were last in action this past weekend when they swept a three-game series against Bradley.
SIU took the first game of the series 6-3 on Friday. Anna Carder had two hits, including a home run to total two RBIs. Sage Grann had three RBIs herself, and Amanda Knutson added one.
The Salukis won 6-3 again on Saturday. Emily Williams had the biggest hit of the day with a grand slam. Knutson and Jackie Lis added RBIs, and Kaytee Dahlstrom struck out eight to earn her sixth win of the year.
Sunday featured the series finale, and the Salukis were able to complete the sweep with a 9-3 win. Williams homered for the third time in her last four games while Emma Austin had a multi-RBI game. McKenzie Newcomb picked up her 15th win of the season after throwing 2.1 innings of shutout ball.
Weekly Honors
Following the Bradley sweep, a pair of Salukis were honored with weekly awards from the MVC.
Williams was named Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week. The sophomore transfer from Morehead State hit three home runs in last week's five games, driving in 11 runs while posting an .824 slugging percentage. She is currently second in the MVC in home runs with 12 and is first in RBIs with 39. This is Williams' first Player of the Week title and third Newcomer of the Week win.
Additionally, Newcomb was awarded Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. In five appearances, Newcomb picked up three wins and two saves. She posted a 1.79 ERA in 15.2 innings of work while striking out 18 and walking two. Newcomb and her 1.84 ERA rank second in the conference.
The Series and the Matchup
Southern holds the all-time advantage head-to-head against Northern Iowa, winning 81 games compared the Panthers' 49. They last met in the 2024 MVC Championship game in Normal; the Salukis won that game 3-2 to clinch their second straight MVC title. Prior to the playoffs, the Panthers took two out of three games in their regular season series in March. The Salukis have not won at Northern Iowa since 2019 when SIU swept Northern Iowa in a three-game series.
The Panthers roll into the series with a 24-14 overall record and a 12-6 mark in conference play. They were last in action on Tuesday and Wednesday this week versus Drake. Northern Iowa won the first game with an 8-7 walkoff. However, Drake found redemption on Wednesday by winning 12-11 in an offensive shootout.
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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