TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Shaye Barton and Brooke Mann combined for six hits and two runs but a pair of big innings for Southern Illinois sent the Salukis past Indiana State, 10-4, in the Missouri Valley Conference series finale at Price Field Saturday.
 
Indiana State (14-27, 2-14) compiled 11 hits – their most over the past five games – but Southern Illinois (26-10, 11-4) used a four-run first inning and six-run sixth to make a rally all but impossible for the host Sycamores.
 
Not that ISU didn't try. The Trees were slowly making their way back into the game before that pivotal sixth inning. An RBI single by Mann in the fourth then a sacrifice fly by Amanda Guercio in the fifth cut that four-run deficit to two.
 
Even after Southern's big sixth inning, extending their lead to 10-2, Indiana State still battled. Mallory Marsicek hit a pop up to short with Barton on third and Barton scooted home as SIU's Ashley Wood caught the ball but turned away from the play, giving Barton the opportunity to score and letting Mann advance to second. Mann would score in the next at bat as she was driving in by Olivia Patton.
 
The Trees threatened again in the seventh with Barton and Mann once again reaching base on a pair of two-out singles but a fly out to right would quell any chance of a comeback.
 
Brianna Jones (17-6) was credited with the win after allowing only two runs on five hits in 4.0 innings, moving her one win away from matching the SIU school record. Claire Miller (2) was credited with the save after allowing two runs on five hits over the final three innings.
 
Gabbi Schnaiter (7-12) was charged with the loss after allowing four runs on two hits in 0.1 innings.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brooke Mann claims this accolade after going 3-for-4 from the plate with an RBI and a run scored. She was also impressive behind the plate, not allowing a stolen base.
 
STAT OF THE GAME
Indiana State recorded yet another double play in the game, marking five for the weekend. The Sycamores had previously recorded five double plays over the past 10 games combined.
 
PITCHERS OF RECORD

• Win: Brianna Jones, Southern Illinois (27-6)
• Loss: Gabbi Schnaiter, Indiana State (7-12)
• Save: Claire Miller, Southern Illinois (2)

RECORDS UPDATE

• Indiana State: 14-27 (2-14 MVC)
• Southern Illinois: 26-10 (11-4 MVC)

NOTABLES

• Indiana State is now 26-73 all-time against Southern Illinois with an 11-29 mark in Terre Haute. This marks the first sweep at the hands of the Salukis since 2011.
• Mallory Marsicek's sac fly in the sixth inning – a pop up to short – marked just her second sac fly of the season.
• The three hits by Brooke Mann tied a season high mark. She had previously registered three hits at Western Kentucky (Feb. 25) and at Eastern Illinois (Apr. 3).
• The five double plays recorded by the Sycamores are the most ISU has turned in a Missouri Valley Conference series this year.

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