TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Southern Illinois used early offense and timely power in both games of Sunday's doubleheader as Indiana State dropped a pair to the Salukis at Price Field, falling 6-1 in Game 1 and 10-4 in Game 2. The Sycamores moved to 18-18 on the season following the twinbill, while SIU improved to 20-13 overall. 

Southern Illinois struck early and never trailed, using three home runs and a pair of multi-run innings to take the opener. SIU opened the scoring in the first on a solo shot from Sage Grann, then broke the game open with a three-run homer from Sydney Potter in the third to go ahead 4-0. The Salukis added single runs in the fifth and sixth to extend the lead. 

Indiana State pushed across its lone run in the sixth when Iseland Riley delivered an RBI infield single scoring Claire Connelly, but the Sycamores stranded seven runners in the loss. Sophie Esposito led ISU with a double and a single, while Connelly, Riley, and Madison Poulson also recorded hits. Lauren Sackett (9-10) took the loss after allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned). SIU's Brooklyn Danielson (7-1) earned the win, scattering seven hits with one run allowed. 

The second game turned into an offensive battle early, but SIU's six-run second inning proved to be the difference as the Salukis completed the sweep. After a scoreless first, SIU loaded the bases in the second and capitalized with a pair of RBI singles before Emily Williams delivered the big swing, a grand slam to left center, pushing the Salukis ahead 6-0. Indiana State responded immediately. Hannah Welch doubled home a run in the bottom half, and Claire Connelly added an RBI single in the third to cut the deficit to 6-2. 

The Sycamores continued to chip away in the fourth as Addie Burns ripped a two-run double to left center, bringing ISU within 6-4. But SIU answered with two runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth to regain full control. 

Morgan Goodrich posted a multi-hit game, while Welch, Burns, Connelly, and Sophie Esposito all drove in runs. 

Caylee Gaytan (8-6) took the loss for ISU. SIU's Hailey Lucas (5-4) earned the win after working through 5.1 innings. 

How They Scored – Game 1 

• Top 1: Grann homered to right to give SIU a 1-0 lead. 

• Top 3: Potter hit a three-run homer to left, extending the lead to 4-0. 

• Top 5: Emily Williams added a solo home run to make it 5-0. 

• Top 6: Potter doubled home another run for a 6-0 advantage. 

• Bottom 6: Riley's RBI infield single plated Connelly for ISU's lone run. 

How They Scored – Game 2 

• Top 2: SIU plated six runs, highlighted by Williams' grand slam. 

• Bottom 2: Welch doubled home Esposito to put ISU on the board. 

• Bottom 3: Connelly singled home Poulson to make it 6-2. 

• Bottom 4: Burns doubled home two to cut the deficit to 6-4. 

• Top 4: SIU added two more on RBI singles from Grann and Williams. 

• Top 5: Kurtz and Blomenkamp each drove in runs to push the lead to 10-4. 

News and Notes 

• Sophie Esposito recorded hits in both games, including a double in Game 1. 

• Morgan Goodrich posted multi-hit performances across the doubleheader. 

• Addie Burns delivered a key two-run double in Game 2. 

Up Next 

Indiana State returns to Price Field tomorrow for the series finale against SIU. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 pm ET.  

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