Potter Homers Twice, Lucas Tosses Complete Game Shutout as Softball Starts 2-0

Friday, February 6

Fort Myers, FL

9 AM

Southern Illinois University

1-0

Charlotte

1-1

Charlotte

Southern Illinois

Potter Homers Twice, Lucas Tosses Complete Game Shutout as Softball Starts 2-0

02/06/2026 | 8:12:00 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Dominic Hoscher, SIUSalukis.com

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Southern Illinois University softball team (2-0) earned two wins on Friday at the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Kickoff Classic, defeating Charlotte, 5-2, in game one and FGCU, 2-0, in game two.

Several Salukis delivered strong performances in their Southern Illinois debuts, including transfer Sydney Potter who hit two home runs on the day (one in both games). A pair of freshman pitchers earned wins: Brooklynn Danielson in game one (3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K) and Hailey Lucas (7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K) in game two in a complete game shutout.

Sophomore pitcher Emma Gipson also had a strong outing in game one, allowing just two runs in 4.0 IP while also registering three strikeouts.

"Just thrilled for all three pitchers that appeared today," head coach Jen Sewell said. "What a day for the two freshmen, and really impressed with Gibby settling in quickly and mixing all those speeds."

One of the biggest hits of the day came via senior Erin Lee, who hit a go-ahead, three-run home run in the fourth inning of game one. SIU held-on the rest of the way to secure the win.

"Each day is going to get better and better for us as we get into a groove," Sewell said. "Pitchers are ahead of hitters - but we could see hitters start to get on time. Congrats to Sydney, Erin and Emily [Williams] who got some swings off today. The rest of the offense will get there. Excited for what's to come this weekend. Still many more opportunities and lineups to get onto the field."

Emily Williams went 4-for-6, tallying two hits in both game one and game two.

Game One: 5-2 win vs. Charlotte
Southern Illinois was the home team in game one against Charlotte and fell in an early hole as it allowed two solo shots in the top of the first, including on the game's first pitch.

The Salukis did not allow a run in either game the remainder of the day.

Gipson shut-down the 49ers lineup in her final three innings, allowing just two hits and no runs after the first.

SIU got on the board in the bottom of the fourth after Lee hit the team's first home run of the season. With two outs in the inning, Mikaela Coburn at second, and Sage Grann at first, the veteran second baseman launched a three-run home run to left center to give the Salukis a 3-2 lead.

Danielson came into the game in the fifth and was lights-out in her Saluki debut. In three innings of work, the freshman from Kenosha, Wis., allowed one hit, no runs, no walks, and recorded four strikeouts.

One inning after Lee's homer, Potter hit her first as a Saluki. With Maleah Blomenkamp at second, the junior catcher hit a two-run shot to left off the FGCU scoreboard to extend Southern Illinois' lead to 5-2.

Danielson and the Salukis finished the game off to secure the 5-2 win.

Game Two: 2-0 win at FGCU
It was a pitcher's duel for much of game two, with neither team scoring in the opening four innings. Lucas was dominant, tossing a 1-2-3 first inning with two strikeouts.

The freshman out of Palatine, Ill., was perfect through four innings and didn't allow a baserunner until a two-out double in the fifth.

SIU's lone offense of the game came off of a two-run home run by Potter, her second of the day. After a Blomenkamp one-out single, SIU's catcher went deep to right field to give SIU a 2-0 lead.

After a 1-2-3 sixth inning, Lucas worked around a one-out triple in the seventh to finish off the Eagles and Southern's 2-0 victory.

Up Next
After a 2-0 start, Southern Illinois will have a rematch against Charlotte on Saturday at 9 a.m. CT in Fort Myers, Fla.