SIU Hangs On For 4-3 Win Over UNI in Title Game

Saturday, May 13

Normal, Illinois

1 p.m.

University of Northern Iowa

33-19

MVC Tournament Championship - Southern Illinois

33-22

Southern Illinois

UNI

UNI Softball 2nd Place 2017 MVC Tournament

SIU Hangs On For 4-3 Win Over UNI in Title Game

5/13/2017 3:44:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

NORMAL, Illinois – The University of Northern Iowa softball team could not overcome a four-run fourth inning by Southern Illinois and the Salukis held on for a 4-3 victory in the 2017 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship held at Marian Kneer Stadium.

UNI (33-19 overall) broke through to score the first run of the game in the bottom of third. Courtney Krodinger ripped a one-out double off the wall in left field and then scored on a Brittany Roby single to left.

SIU (33-22 overall) used a two-out rally to plate four runs in the top of the fourth. UNI starter Jaclyn Spencer loaded the bases with a two-out walk to Susie Baranski. SIU's Eyrika Brandenburg slapped a single to left field that scored two runs to give the Salukis a 2-1 lead. Spencer uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Baranski to score from third. SIU's Shaye Harre drove in the final run of the inning on a single to center that chased Spencer from the game. Alyssa Buchanan came on in relief and allowed a single before inducing an infield popup to end the inning.

Bailey Lange led off the bottom of the fifth for the Panthers by pulling a home run down the right field line to pull the Panthers to within two at 4-2. For Lange it was her team-leading ninth home run on the season.

UNI clawed one run closer in the bottom of the sixth. Roby began the inning with a single to left and moved to third on a double from Wolfe. SIU went to its bullpen and brought in Savanna Dover after Wolfe's double. Kennedy Bailey drove in Roby on a sacrifice fly to center and Wolfe moved to third on the play. However, Anna Varriano and Buchanan each hit foul popups that left Wolfe at third.

UNI's rally in the seventh could not get going past a leadoff walk to Bunch. Bunch was retired on a fielder's choice at second and then Brittney Krodinger flew out to center to end it.

SIU's Brianna Jones earned the victory and moved to 18-12 on the season. SIU's Savanna Dover worked the final two innings and tallied her first career save.

UNI's Jaclyn Spencer took the loss and dropped to 15-8 on the year. Spencer struck out eight batters in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Buchanan relieved Spencer in the fourth and pitched 3 1/3 innings. Buchanan allowed only one hit and struck out one.

Roby went 2-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

NOTES: UNI's Macey Wolfe, Brittney Krodinger and Alyssa Buchanan were each named to the All-Tournament team … UNI is 2-3 in MVC Tournament championship games … UNI is 33-43 all-time in MVC Tournament games.