Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois Travels to Illinois State for Weekend Series in Normal
03/19/2026 | 12:30:00 | Softball
Details
- Date:Â Friday, March 20 to Saturday, March 21
- Location:Â Marian Kneer Softball Stadium | Normal, Ill.
- Opponent:Â Illinois State
- Live Stats:Â Friday (2 p.m.)Â |Â Friday (4:30 p.m.)Â |Â Saturday (2 p.m.)
- Watch: Saturday (2 p.m.)
Â
Weekly Recap
The Salukis' perfect start to conference play continued with a three-game sweep of Bradley this past weekend. SIU is now 5-0 in MVC play and 16-9 overall.
This marks the fourth-straight season where Southern Illinois has started at least 5-0 in Valley play. The last time SIU was unable to start 5-0 in conference was 2022.
Southern Illinois out-scored Bradley, 29-7, in the three games. In game two, SIU run-ruled Bradley, 15-0, in five innings. The Salukis tied a program record with five home runs in the victory.
Southern Illinois' pitching staff had a combined ERA of 1.47. Just four of the seven runs the Salukis allowed were earned. Freshman Brooklynn Danielson was the lone Saluki to record two appearances and went 1-0 with a save, a 0.00 ERA, and three strikeouts in 5.0 innings pitched. Danielson allowed just one hit and two walks.
Junior Emily Williams led the team with a .750 batting average, four home runs, and 10 RBI. Williams earned MVC Player of the Week and D1Softball Mid-Major Player of the Week honors after the strong performance.
As a team, SIU hit .425 with nine home runs against the Braves. The Salukis also combined for a .877 slugging percentage and a .488 on-base percentage.
Two other Salukis hit over .600: Maleah Blomenkamp (.667) and Sage Grann (.625). Amanda Knutson hit three home runs in one day during the Friday doubleheader and also recorded six RBI. Sydney Potter and Hayden Kurtz hit the team's other two home runs, while Erin Lee's six runs led the Salukis.
Series History
In 142 all-time meetings, SIU and Illinois State are tied at 71-71 against one another. Southern Illinois has won six-straight meetings.
The Salukis' last loss against Illinois State came in May of 2023, which was also the last time they traveled to Normal, Ill., to face the Redbirds in the regular season.
Southern Illinois and Illinois State have faced off in the MVC Tournament in each of the last five seasons. The Salukis have defeated the Redbirds four of the five postseason games with the lone loss being in 2022.
Last season, SIU went 4-0 vs. Illinois State and out-scored the Redbirds, 20-7, across the four meetings.
Looking at the Redbirds
Illinois State is 15-8 overall and 5-1 in MVC play. At home, the Redbirds are 3-1 so far in 2026.
In its last series, Illinois State swept Drake in Normal. The Redbirds scored at least eight runs in all three games and finished the weekend with an 11-run outburst on Saturday.
The Redbirds are fifth in the conference in scoring with 121 runs in 23 games. In the circle, Illinois State is fourth in the MVC in ERA at 3.88.
Illinois State leads the league in doubles (43) and is second in extra base hits (73).
Offensively, the Redbirds are led by Morgan Calhoun who is batting .451 with six home runs and 24 RBI. Paige McLeod's 2.25 ERA leads the pitching staff.
Williams Receives National Recognition
Emily Williams four-home run week against Bradley led to the junior being named the MVC Player of the Week, the D1Softball Mid-Major Player of the Week, and was selected to NCAA Softball's Lineup of the Week as the designated player.
This is the second time in Williams' career being chosen as the MVC Player of the Week. The junior last earned this honor on April 14, 2025.
Williams led the Salukis in batting average (.750), home runs (four), RBI (10), slugging percentage (2.250), and total bases (18) during their sweep of Bradley.Â
Perfect Start to MVC Play
The Salukis are the only remaining undefeated team in Valley play with their 5-0 conference record. Belmont and Illinois State sit behind SIU at 5-1 respectively, followed by Murray State at 3-2.
In MVC play, Southern Illinois is first in the league in runs scored (45), on-base percentage (.486), slugging percentage (.731), tied for first in batting average (.403), and is second in home runs (10).
SIU's pitching staff has been just as dominant in conference play, leading the Valley in ERA (0.90), WHIP (0.68), home runs allowed (one), and hits allowed (15). Southern has given up just seven runs (four earned) against MVC opposition.
Potter Climbing Home Run Ranks
Junior catcher Sydney Potter is now batting .329 with a team-leading 12 home runs, 32 RBI, 23 runs scored, and 1.311 OPS. Potter's .873 slugging percentage also ranks first in the SIU lineup.
After hitting her 12th home run of the year on March 13 against Bradley, Potter is now tied for seventh all-time in single-season home runs at Southern Illinois. The catcher is two homers away from tying Katie Jordan (2005), Maria Damico (2005), and Katie Wilson (2007) for the fourth-most in a season in program history.
On the year, Potter is first in the MVC in home runs, RBI, and is third in slugging percentage. The catcher is tied for 12th in the NCAA in homers.
Delgado Nearing Milestone
Emily Delgado is four strikeouts away from reaching 200 on her career. Delgado has 36 so far in 2026 and during her two seasons at Southern Utah, the Corona, Calif., native racked up 160.Â
Delgado is second on the team in strikeouts behind freshman Hailey Lucas (47). The junior from California is 5-2 on the year with a 2.66 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 13 appearances and three starts. Delgado has allowed just one earned run over her last three games.
Sage Grann's Big Year Continues
Sophomore Sage Grann has been one of the key bats in Southern Illinois' lineup so far in 2026. Grann is second on the team in batting average (.355) and her .487 on-base percentage leads the Salukis.
Grann is on a seven-game hitting streak and has three multi-hit games during this span. The sophomore has also reached base in eight-straight games and in 21 of her 23 total appearances.
Salukis by the Numbers
Overall, Southern Illinois ranks second in the MVC in runs scored (140), home runs (28), and hits (189). Emily Williams is seventh in the league in batting average (.395), tied for second in RBI (25), and is fifth in slugging percentage (.711). Sage Grann is ninth in on-base percentage, while Erin Lee is tied for third in walks (20).
The Salukis are third in the conference in ERA at 3.42. SIU's 165.2 innings pitched are the most in the league while its 49 walks are the second-fewest. Southern Illinois is also second in WHIP (1.31).
Freshman Hailey Lucas is third in the MVC in ERA (2.04) and second in WHIP (0.87). Delgado's 2.66 ERA ranks seventh in the league and in terms of saves, freshman Brooklynn Danielson is tied for second with two in her first year as a Saluki.
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.
