Softball Looks to Continue Strong Start at Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Mexico

Softball Looks to Continue Strong Start at Puerto Vallarta Challenge in Mexico

02/10/2026 | 4:00:00 | Softball

By: Dominic Hoscher, SIUSalukis.com

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico - The Southern Illinois University softball team (5-0) will continue its four-week road trip to begin the season this week at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Southern Illinois Schedule
Wednesday: Game One - 11 a.m. vs. Eastern Kentucky | Game Two - 2 p.m. vs. UTSA
Thursday: Game One - 10 a.m. vs. Long Beach State | Game Two - 1 p.m. vs. UTSA
Friday: 7 p.m. vs. Long Beach State
*all times Central Standard Time

Tournament Details
Location: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Dates: Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Friday, Feb. 13 (for SIU)
Listen: The Varsity Network
Watch: Here
Opponents: Eastern Kentucky, UTSA (2x), Long Beach State (2x)
Live Stats:
- Wednesday: Game One | Game Two
- Thursday: Game One | Game Two
- Friday: Game Two

Recap of FGCU Kickoff Classic
The Salukis went a perfect 5-0 at the FGCU Kickoff Classic in Fort Myers, Fla. SIU started off its week with two wins last Friday, defeating Charlotte, 5-2, and FGCU, 2-0.

Southern finished off its sweep of Charlotte with a 7-6 win on Saturday. On the final day of the tournament, the Salukis blanked both Ball State, 4-0, and Long Island, 7-0.

Sydney Potter paced the Salukis' offense with five home runs and 11 RBI. Both Emily Williams and Charleston Pursley are batting .500, while Maleah Blomenkamp has a .375 batting average after the FGCU Kickoff Classic. Potter is at .471.

In the circle, freshman Hailey Lucas has led the way with a 0.00 ERA in a team-leading 9.2 innings pitched. Emily Delgado leads the team in WHIP (0.47) and also has a strong 1.11 ERA. Emma Gipson's ERA sits at 1.68 while Kiana McDowell has a 0.00 ERA after a strong outing vs. Long Island on Sunday. Brooklynn Danielson is 2-0 in her first two collegiate appearances.

Weekly Awards
Sydney Potter and Hailey Lucas both received weekly honors from the Missouri Valley Conference after Week 1. Potter was named the MVC Player and Newcomer of the Week while Lucas was the Freshman of the Week.

Potter, in her first week as a Saluki, homered in all five games she played in during SIU's 5-0 run at the FGCU Kickoff Classic. Potter finished the week with a .471 batting average, 1.938 OPS, five home runs, and 11 RBI. The junior catcher also recorded a 1.412 SLG and .526 OBP to go along with one double and two walks. Potter had two multi-hit games, tallying three hits, one home run, and three RBI vs. Charlotte on Feb. 7 and two hits, one home run, and two RBI vs. Ball State on Feb. 8.

Lucas made her first two appearances as a Saluki this past weekend at the FGCU Kickoff Classic and did not allow a run against the hosts, FGCU, and Ball State. Against FGCU, Lucas tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing just two hits, no runs, and no walks with five strikeouts across 7.0 IP. Lucas then allowed three hits, no runs, two walks, and recorded a strikeout in 2.2 scoreless innings vs. Ball State on Feb. 8.

D1Softball Recognition
In the Week 1 D1Softball Mid-Major Rankings, SIU moved up to No. 9 from the No. 20 spot. Southern earned two wins over the No. 21 team in the poll, Charlotte, at the FGCU Kickoff Classic.

Potter was named the D1Softball Mid-Major Player of the Week after her five-home run week in Florida.

Team Numbers Through Five Games
As a team, Southern Illinois is batting .298 with a combined .907 OPS. SIU has scored 25 runs and hit nine home runs (Potter - 5; Erin Lee - 2; Amanda Knutson - 1; Mikaela Coburn - 1).

The pitching staff has allowed just eight runs and an opposing batting average of .200.

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.