CARBONDALE, Ill. - Indiana State dropped both games of Sunday's doubleheader against Southern Illinois, falling 10-2 in five innings in Game 1 and 9-4 in Game 2. The Sycamores struck first in both matchups but couldn't contain the Salukis' offensive attack.
Game One: SIU 10, Indiana State 2
The Sycamores were defeated 10-2 in Game One of their doubleheader against SIU. The game ended after five innings due to the run rule, with the Salukis rallying in the first and never looking back.
The Sycamores got off to a strong start in the top of the first inning. After a walk to Morgan Goodrich, Sophie Esposito singled to record the first hit of the game. Hannah Welch then delivered a clutch 2-RBI double to left center, giving Indiana State an early 2-0 lead.
However, the Salukis answered quickly, responding with a five-run rally in the bottom of the first. The inning began with an RBI single from Carder, cutting the Sycamore lead to 2-1. SIU then loaded the bases with no outs. A sac fly by Williams evened the score at 2-2, and with one out, Baker blasted a 3-run homer to give Southern Illinois a 5-2 advantage.
Southern Illinois continued to apply pressure, adding two more runs in the third inning with another two-run homer from Baker.
In the fourth inning, Megan Asher entered to pitch for Indiana State, replacing Lauren Sackett, who took the loss after giving up seven runs on seven hits in three innings of work.
Asher allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks in her lone inning on the mound. SIU capitalized on an error and RBI hits from Carder, Lee, and Coburn, scoring three more runs and loading the bases.
Indiana State finished with six hits in the game, including singles from Sophie Esposito, Kenzie Cornwell, Peyton Simmons, and Morgan Goodrich, along with doubles from Hannah Welch and Livi Colip.
Game Two: SIU 9, Indiana State 4
Southern Illinois rallied with a strong offensive performance to defeat the Sycamores 9-4 in Game 2 of the series on Sunday afternoon.
The game began with a promising start for Indiana State in the top of the 1st inning. Madison Poulson led off with a single, advancing to second on a wild pitch. After a groundout by Goodrich, Poulson moved to third, and Sophie Esposito drove her home with an RBI single, giving the Sycamores an early 1-0 lead.
Southern Illinois quickly responded in the bottom of the 1st. Austin reached on a bunt single, followed by a walk to Lis and a hit-by-pitch for Carder to load the bases. Lee's sacrifice fly brought in two runs, giving the Salukis a 2-1 lead. Another sacrifice fly from Williams extended the lead to 3-1 before the inning concluded.
Indiana State mounted a comeback in the top of the 2nd inning. Brailey Mills and Peyton Simmons hit consecutive singles, and Luci Kapelka followed with an RBI double to bring in Mills. After a couple of wild pitches allowed Simmons to score and Kapelka to advance to third, Lauren Marsicek's single gave Indiana State a 4-3 lead.
Southern Illinois took control in the later innings, scoring five unanswered runs. In the third, Lis and Carder singled before Lee's sacrifice fly tied the game at 4-4, and Williams' two-run homer put the Salukis ahead 6-4.
A fielding error and a single by Grann in the fifth led to two unearned runs, extending the lead to 8-4. In the sixth, Baker's RBI double made it 9-4 Salukis.
The Sycamores fought back in the final inning, with Cornwell and Goodrich both leading off with singles. However, they were left stranded as the Salukis closed out the game for a 9-4 win.
Hailey Griffin (L, 5-6) started for Indiana State, allowing six runs on five hits over three innings while striking out three. Cassi Newbanks took over in relief, giving up three runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts in three innings. The Sycamores' pitching staff combined for nine runs allowed on 11 hits with three walks and six strikeouts over six innings.
Up Next: The Sycamores return to Price Field on Tuesday for a doubleheader against MVC rival Evansville, with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
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