Salukis Shut Out Panthers in MVC Finale

Sunday, May 6

Carbondale, Illinois

11 a.m.

University of Northern Iowa

26-25, 11-13

Southern Illinois

29-21, 12-12

UNI

Southern Illinois

Salukis Shut Out Panthers in MVC Finale

5/6/2018 1:51:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

BOX SCORE (PDF)

CARBONDALE, Illinois - The Southern Illinois Salukis posted an 8-0 five-inning win over the University of Northern Iowa softball squad in the regular season finale for both squads held at Charlotte West Stadium.

The Salukis (29-21 overall, 12-12 MVC) were able to secure the No. 3 seed for the 2018 MVC Tournament. UNI (26-25 overall, 11-13 MVC) will be the No. 6 seed in the MVC Tournament.

SIU's Brianna Jones scattered four hits over five innings and struck out one Panther. Jones moves to 24-7 on the season.

UNI starter Emma Olejniczak breezed through the first two innings but ran into trouble in the third whent he first four Saluki batters reached base via hits. A bases loaded walk and sacrifice fly ended the day for Olejniczak as she left with the Panthers trailing 2-0.

The Panthers turned to reliever Brooke Craig but unfortunately for UNI she was greeted with a three-run home run by SIU's Kyle Decker that upped the SIU margin to 5-0.

Craig allowed three more runs in the fourth as the Salukis pushed the lead to 8-0.

UNI had four hits on the day but its only extra base hit came from Adara Opiola when she laced a double on a full-count two-out pitch from Jones in the fourth.

UP NEXT:
UNI will take part in the 2018 MVC Tournament held Thursday-Saturday at Buel Field in Des Moines. Drake will serve as the tournament host this season. UNI will meet No. 7-seeded Illinois State on Thurdsay at 1:30 p.m. The winner of the UNI-Illinois State game will face No. 3-seeded Southern Illinois on Friday at 1:30 p.m. The entire 2018 MVC Tournament can be seen on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
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