Softball Rallies Late with Three-Run Seventh Inning in 5-3 Win at Lipscomb on Sunday

Sunday, March 1

Nashville, TN

1:30 PM

Southern Illinois University

11-9

Lipscomb

4-13

Southern Ill.

Lipscomb

Softball Rallies Late with Three-Run Seventh Inning in 5-3 Win at Lipscomb on Sunday

03/01/2026 | 7:08:00 | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Dominic Hoscher, SIUSalukis.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Facing a one-run deficit in the top of the seventh, the Southern Illinois University softball team (11-9) rallied, scoring three runs in the inning before closing it out in the bottom half to defeat Lipscomb, 5-3.

One day after hitting her first-career home run, sophomore Hayden Kurtz delivered in another big moment for the Salukis. Kurtz crushed a go-ahead, two-run double with the bases-loaded to give the Salukis a 4-3 lead. The first baseman came around to score on an error, extending the advantage to 5-3.

Freshman pitcher Brooklynn Danielson got the start and struck out four batters in three innings while also allowing three runs on four hits. Emily Delgado (3-2) picked up the win after a dominant four innings where the junior gave up just three hits and zero runs with two walks and four strikeouts.

Kurtz and junior Emily Williams both had two hits, while the former recorded a team-high three RBI.

Erin Lee and Sage Grann also had strong days at the plate, as both reached three times with two walks and one hit each. As a team, SIU drew seven walks and had eight hits with zero errors against the Bisons.

Southern Illinois scored the game's first two runs in the top of the first. Williams hit an RBI single to center, scoring Maleah Blomenkamp. Kurtz then came through with a single of her own, driving in Williams to give the Salukis a 2-0 lead.

The first two Lipscomb batters reached in the first, but Danielson got out unscathed after producing a fly out, a pop up to first, and a strikeout to end the inning. The freshman proceeded to toss a 1-2-3 second frame with a pair of strikeouts.

Lipscomb went ahead in the third after hitting back-to-back home runs, taking a 3-2 lead.

Delgado entered the game in the bottom of the fourth and worked around a lead-off single to keep the deficit at one.

Southern created traffic in the sixth as infielders Amanda Knutson and Jordan Stewart both reached via walks, but a fielder's choice ended the inning with the Salukis still trailing, 3-2.

It wasn't until the top of the seventh when the traffic eventually led to runs for SIU. With the bases-loaded and one out in the inning, Kurtz delivered a two-run double, scoring Sydney Potter and Sarah Cook. The sophomore later came around to score on an error, giving Southern a 5-3 lead.

Despite allowing a one-out walk, Delgado held Lipscomb scoreless in the bottom half of the seventh, securing the 5-3 win for SIU in the final game of the Lipscomb Purple and Gold Challenge. The Salukis went 3-2 at the tournament in Nashville, Tenn.

Up Next
SIU finishes the first month of the season 11-9, with all 20 games being spent away from home. The Salukis will return to Carbondale for their home and conference-opener on Friday for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. against Valparaiso.

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.