Salukis Run-Rule Illinois State in Game 2, Split Friday Doubleheader in Normal

Friday, March 20

Normal, IL

2 PM

Southern Illinois University

16-10, 5-1

Illinois State

16-8, 6-1

Southern Ill.

Illinois St.

Salukis Run-Rule Illinois State in Game 2, Split Friday Doubleheader in Normal

03/20/2026 | 8:28:00 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Dominic Hoscher, SIUSalukis.com

NORMAL, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University softball team (17-10 overall, 6-1 MVC) run-ruled Illinois State, 9-0 (5), in game two of Friday's doubleheader after falling, 4-0, in game one.

"As you can see, when we adjust we are really good offensively," head coach Jen Sewell said. "We knew the ground ball rate was going to be high in the first game and the righties didn't find the bottom of the ball."

In the first game of the day, Illinois State out-hit Southern Illinois, 7-4, en route to the win. Freshman Hailey Lucas (4-4) was the lone pitcher to appear for SIU and went 6.0 innings, allowing four runs (two earned), seven hits, and two walks with seven strikeouts.

"I thought Hailey pitched well, but we as an offense can help her get comfortable faster if we hit some balls hard earlier," Sewell said. "We couldn't keep Hailey off the field because we were getting ourselves out so fast."

Outfielder Maleah Blomenkamp led the team with two hits in game one.

It was a well-rounded win for Southern Illinois in game two as it out-hit Illinois State, 9-1. Freshman Brooklynn Danielson (5-0) fired a gem, allowing no runs, just one hit, and one walk with six strikeouts in her first-career complete-game shutout.

"The second game was so well thrown by BD," Sewell said. "She took that no hitter into the bottom of the fifth. But we looked so much better in at bats so she can settle quickly, knowing her offense had her. We owe Hailey that kind of execution."

Both Sydney Potter and Hayden Kurtz went deep in the second game of the day. Potter's was her 13th of the season, while the home run for Kurtz was her third.

"We loved the bounce back effort," Sewell said. "Our job tomorrow is to get going against Paige McLeod and hit some balls hard."

Game One: 4-0 loss vs. Illinois State
Lucas and Illinois State's Paige McLeod both got off to strong starts in the Friday opener, as neither starter allowed a run in the first two innings.

The Redbirds broke the deadlock in the bottom of the third with a pair of unearned runs after an SIU error.

Illinois State extended its lead to 3-0 one inning later courtesy of a solo home run by Ella Boyer. Boyer's homer came with two outs in the fourth.

More insurance was added for the hosts when they scored another run in the fifth, making it 4-0. Southern Illinois was unable to find an answer in the final two innings, leading to the 4-0 defeat.

Game Two: 9-0 (5) win vs. Illinois State
The Salukis answered back in a big way in game two. Southern Illinois scored its first runs of the day in the second inning, starting with a pair of doubles by Mikaela Coburn and Amanda Knutson. Knutson came around to score SIU's second run on a sacrifice fly hit by Jordan Stewart.

Danielson worked around a one-out walk in the bottom of the frame to keep the Salukis ahead by two.

Potter opened up the third with a solo home run, her 13th of the year. The junior leads the Missouri Valley Conference in homers and is now one away from tying Katie Jordan (2005), Maria Damico (2005), and Katie Wilson (2007) for the fourth-most in a single-season in program history.

The Salukis went on to score three more runs in the inning. Stewart hit an RBI single to score Charleston Pursley and give SIU a 4-0 lead. Blomenkamp then delivered an RBI single of her own to bring home Erin Lee. Southern's fourth run of the frame came off of a Emily Williams sacrifice fly that scored Knutson.

After another scoreless inning by Danielson, SIU took a 6-0 lead into the fourth.

There, the visitors added another run as Kurtz launched her third-career home run to center field. The sophomore has homered in three of her last nine games. Lee then scored on a Knutson sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 8-0.

Danielson tossed a 1-2-3 fourth inning, leading to Southern Illinois scoring one more in the fifth. Sage Grann hit an RBI double to drive in Blomenkamp and give SIU a 9-0 advantage.

The no-hit bid for Danielson came to an end in the bottom of the fifth inning as Illinois State hit a lead-off double. The freshman proceeded to record a pair of strikeouts and a foul out to end the game and secure the 9-0 win for the Salukis.

Up Next
Southern Illinois and Illinois State will play for the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. in game three.

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