News | This Week in Saluki Athletics: April 21-27
04/21/2025 | 11:44:00 | General
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Another big week in Southern Illinois athletics is here. Men's golf is currently participating in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, and softball will host its final series this weekend. Meanwhile, baseball is ready for alumni weekend, and track and field will spend the end of the week at Drake for a relay meet.
Track and Field
Track and field participated in the Gibson Invitational last week.
Both 4x100-meter relay squads brought home gold medals, as did the men's 4x400-meter relay team. Teanna Bell won the 400-meter dash, and Keyann Wilson was the 100-meter dash champion. In the women's 200-meter dash, Leah Thames came in first while Shane Ashton did the same in the men's 400-meter hurdles. In field events, Darrione Williams sat atop the podium in the long jump event.
It is a busy week ahead for track and field. From Wednesday, April 23, through Saturday, April 26, Salukis will be competing in the Drake Relays. Additionally, SIU will also be seen at the Fighting Illini Twilight on Saturday, April 26.
Softball (26-17, 17-3)
Before softball started play last week, a pair of Salukis were honored with weekly awards from the MVC.
Emily Williams was named Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week. The sophomore transfer from Morehead State hit three home runs in the prior week's five games, driving in 11 runs while posting an .824 slugging percentage. This was Williams' first Player of the Week title and third Newcomer of the Week win.
Additionally, McKenzie Newcomb was awarded Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. In five appearances the previous week, 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.
The team then traveled to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a three-game set versus Northern Iowa, a rematch of last year's MVC Championship that SIU won.
Game one on Friday went to Northern Iowa, 6-5. Williams hit a pair of homers, and Anna Carder added one too; Addi Baker had Southern's other RBI.
Saturday featured a doubleheader and the Salukis won the first game 12-6 in eight innings. Williams hit another home run, and Baker hit one herself. RBIs also came from Jackie Lis, Sage Grann, and Amanda Knutson.
Northern Iowa then clinched the series with an 8-6 in the second game on Saturday. Baker hit a grand slam for her second home run of the day, and Knutson drove in SIU's other run.
Following their first MVC series loss to UNI, SIU returns to non-conference play on Wednesday, April 23, with a 4 p.m. game against UT Martin. They then welcome Murray State to Carbondale for a three-game, conference series. The Murray State series starts on Friday, April 25, at 5 p.m., continues on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m., and concludes on Sunday, April 27, with a 12 p.m. match. Saturday's game is Senior Day, and the ceremony will take place after the game. And Sunday's game is Bark in the Park with St. Francis Animal Care.
Baseball (24-11, 7-5)
Baseball had a four-game set this past week.
It opened with a 10-8 loss in 11 innings to Arkansas State on Tuesday. Jordan Bach hit a homer for the Salukis and John Lemm joined Bach in having a multi-RBI game. Out of the bullpen, Tanner Gerdes, Jackson Payne, and Sam Frizzi did their best to hold the game in reach for SIU, not allowing an earned run over 4.2 innings of work.
Southern then hosted Belmont for a three-game, MVC series, and game one on Thursday went to extras. This time however, SIU came out on top in extra innings, winning 5-4. Matt Schark drove in four RBIs, and Matthew Simay ended the game with an RBI in the eighth inning.
On Friday, the two squads faced off twice. Southern won the first game of the doubleheader, 4-3. Bach hit his second homer of the week to drive in three of SIU's runs; Jaxon Holder drove in the other Saluki run. Starting pitcher Alec Nigut was excellent, giving SIU five innings of work while allowing just one earned run.
The Salukis completed the sweep Friday evening, winning game two 8-0. SIU mashed five home runs as Lemm and Gabe Petrucelli led the offense with two RBIs apiece. Meade Johnson did the bulk of work pitching for SIU, throwing eight shutouts while allowing just five hits.
This upcoming week starts with a rematch against Southeast Missouri State, who the Saluki beat on April 8. This week's game will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Southeast Missouri State. Then, over the weekend, Illinois State visits Itchy Jones Stadium for three contests. On Friday, April 25, the two play at 6 p.m. They match up again on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. before finishing the series on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. The entire weekend is Alumni Weekend for baseball.
Men's Golf
Men's golf participated in the Hawkeye Invitational last Sunday and Monday where they finished 11th of the 13 teams competing. Anthony De Schutter had the best finish among Salukis, tying for 13th-place with a score of 217 (+1). De Schutter finished under par twice, in round one and two.
At the moment, the team is competing in the MVC Tournament in West Des Monie, Iowa. The tournament began yesterday and runs through tomorrow, April 22.
Women's Golf
While men's golf is just starting their MVC Tournament run, the women's golf team ended theirs on Tuesday. The team ended up in eighth place of the 12 teams competing.
Kayla Sayyalinh had a solid tournament, tying for 10th-place with a 224 score (+8). Ella Overstreet also finished top-30, taking home 25th place with her score of 231 (+5).
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 participated in the Gibson Invitational last week.
Both 4x100-meter relay squads brought home gold medals, as did the men's 4x400-meter relay team. Teanna Bell won the 400-meter dash, and Keyann Wilson was the 100-meter dash champion. In the women's 200-meter dash, Leah Thames came in first while Shane Ashton did the same in the men's 400-meter hurdles. In field events, Darrione Williams sat atop the podium in the long jump event.
It is a busy week ahead for track and field. From Wednesday, April 23, through Saturday, April 26, Salukis will be competing in the Drake Relays. Additionally, SIU will also be seen at the Fighting Illini Twilight on Saturday, April 26.
Softball (26-17, 17-3)
Before softball started play last week, a pair of Salukis were honored with weekly awards from the MVC.
Emily Williams was named Player of the Week and Newcomer of the Week. The sophomore transfer from Morehead State hit three home runs in the prior week's five games, driving in 11 runs while posting an .824 slugging percentage. This was Williams' first Player of the Week title and third Newcomer of the Week win.
Additionally, McKenzie Newcomb was awarded Pitcher of the Week for the second time this season. In five appearances the previous week, 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.
The team then traveled to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a three-game set versus Northern Iowa, a rematch of last year's MVC Championship that SIU won.
Game one on Friday went to Northern Iowa, 6-5. Williams hit a pair of homers, and Anna Carder added one too; Addi Baker had Southern's other RBI.
Saturday featured a doubleheader and the Salukis won the first game 12-6 in eight innings. Williams hit another home run, and Baker hit one herself. RBIs also came from Jackie Lis, Sage Grann, and Amanda Knutson.
Northern Iowa then clinched the series with an 8-6 in the second game on Saturday. Baker hit a grand slam for her second home run of the day, and Knutson drove in SIU's other run.
Following their first MVC series loss to UNI, SIU returns to non-conference play on Wednesday, April 23, with a 4 p.m. game against UT Martin. They then welcome Murray State to Carbondale for a three-game, conference series. The Murray State series starts on Friday, April 25, at 5 p.m., continues on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m., and concludes on Sunday, April 27, with a 12 p.m. match. Saturday's game is Senior Day, and the ceremony will take place after the game. And Sunday's game is Bark in the Park with St. Francis Animal Care.
Baseball (24-11, 7-5)
Baseball had a four-game set this past week.
It opened with a 10-8 loss in 11 innings to Arkansas State on Tuesday. Jordan Bach hit a homer for the Salukis and John Lemm joined Bach in having a multi-RBI game. Out of the bullpen, Tanner Gerdes, Jackson Payne, and Sam Frizzi did their best to hold the game in reach for SIU, not allowing an earned run over 4.2 innings of work.
Southern then hosted Belmont for a three-game, MVC series, and game one on Thursday went to extras. This time however, SIU came out on top in extra innings, winning 5-4. Matt Schark drove in four RBIs, and Matthew Simay ended the game with an RBI in the eighth inning.
On Friday, the two squads faced off twice. Southern won the first game of the doubleheader, 4-3. Bach hit his second homer of the week to drive in three of SIU's runs; Jaxon Holder drove in the other Saluki run. Starting pitcher Alec Nigut was excellent, giving SIU five innings of work while allowing just one earned run.
The Salukis completed the sweep Friday evening, winning game two 8-0. SIU mashed five home runs as Lemm and Gabe Petrucelli led the offense with two RBIs apiece. Meade Johnson did the bulk of work pitching for SIU, throwing eight shutouts while allowing just five hits.
This upcoming week starts with a rematch against Southeast Missouri State, who the Saluki beat on April 8. This week's game will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, at Southeast Missouri State. Then, over the weekend, Illinois State visits Itchy Jones Stadium for three contests. On Friday, April 25, the two play at 6 p.m. They match up again on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. before finishing the series on Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m. The entire weekend is Alumni Weekend for baseball.
Men's Golf
Men's golf participated in the Hawkeye Invitational last Sunday and Monday where they finished 11th of the 13 teams competing. Anthony De Schutter had the best finish among Salukis, tying for 13th-place with a score of 217 (+1). De Schutter finished under par twice, in round one and two.
At the moment, the team is competing in the MVC Tournament in West Des Monie, Iowa. The tournament began yesterday and runs through tomorrow, April 22.
Women's Golf
While men's golf is just starting their MVC Tournament run, the women's golf team ended theirs on Tuesday. The team ended up in eighth place of the 12 teams competing.
Kayla Sayyalinh had a solid tournament, tying for 10th-place with a 224 score (+8). Ella Overstreet also finished top-30, taking home 25th place with her score of 231 (+5).
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
Sprints
/ Track and Field
C
/ Softball
/ Men's Golf
RHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF/OF
/ Softball
OF/INF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
LHP
/ Baseball
/ Women's Golf
RHP
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
/ Women's Golf
INF
/ Baseball
INF
/ Baseball
Sprints
/ Track and Field
Jumps
/ Track and Field
INF/C
/ Softball
Sprints
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