Box Score CARBONDALE, Ill. (March 18, 2018)

In Short…
Maddy Vermejan came through with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning as Southern Illinois (16-10, 2-1 MVC) dealt Loyola University Chicago (13-11, 1-2 MVC) a 5-4 defeat in extra innings this afternoon at Charlotte West Stadium in Carbondale, Ill.
 
How It Happened
Following a quiet start for both teams, Southern Illinois broke through in the bottom of the third inning.  Sava Fisher and Vermejan both singled to set the table for Katelyn Massa, who connected on a three-run home run to put the Salukis in front, 3-0.  Vermejan doubled home another run in the fourth to stretch the hosts' lead to 4-0.
 
Loyola cut its deficit in half in the top of the fifth.  Caitlin Engelking laced a double that plated Shannon McGee before Brooke Wilson followed up with a base hit to bring home Jordyn Cordell, trimming the Southern Illinois advantage to 4-2.  Kiley Jones kept the Saluki bats quiet in the bottom half of the inning to ensure the margin remained at two. 
 
The Ramblers quickly mounted a threat in the top of the sixth, with Ashley Parenti leading off the frame with a single ahead of an Emily Borg double that put two on with no outs.  A passed ball brought home Parenti, cutting the deficit to one, 4-3.  Katie Polaski came through with a sacrifice fly in the ensuing at bat to help Loyola pull even at 4-4 as the weekend rubber match headed to extra innings.
 
Vermejan provided the day's deciding swing with two down in the bottom of the eighth, where she doubled to bring home Kyleigh Decker as the Salukis escaped with a 5-4 victory.
 
Looking At The Numbers
- Wilson and Borg led the Ramblers at the plate on the day with two hits apiece.
- Jones worked 6.1 innings, surrendering four runs, three of which were earned, on 10 hits.
- Vermejan finished 3-for-5 with a game-high two RBI for Southern Illinois.
 
Up Next
Loyola officially opens the home portion of its 2018 schedule when it returns to Loyola Softball Park on Wednesday to host Northern Illinois in a doubleheader that is slated for a 2 p.m. first pitch.