Final Stats

CHICAGO - The Salukis shut out the Ramblers, 8-0, in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Loyola Softball Park. Southern Illinois racked up eight runs on 11 hits over six innings to claim the run-rule victory. Brooke Wyderski and Jessica Balzano recorded Loyola's only hits of the day, while Madison Hope struck out eight batters over six innings.

After a scoreless first inning, Southern Illinois led off the top of the second with a home run to straight center field to take a 1-0 lead. Madison Hope and the Rambler defense then forced two straight outs, but after a Saluki was hit by a pitch, another home run increased the lead to 3-0. Southern Illinois struck again in the top of the third, as back-to-back hits, a double and a single, led to an RBI single to right field, increasing the Saluki led to 4-0.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth inning, but Southern Illinois built on the lead in the top of the fifth. The Salukis led off the inning with back-to-back singles before a walk loaded the bases with no outs. The Ramblers forced an out an home plate in the next at bat before Hope recorded her sixth strikeout of the day to give the Salukis two outs. However, a single to center field in the next at-bat, along with a Rambler fielding error, drove in three runs to put Southern Illinois on top, 7-0.

The Salukis struck again in the top of the sixth, as a single and a walk led to an RBI double down the left field line, increasing the lead to 8-0. The Ramblers were unable to score at the bottom of the frame, giving Southern Illinois the run-rule victory.