Saturday, May 13, 2017
NORMAL, ILL. - The Southern Illinois University softball team (33-22) won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship, securing the 11th NCAA tournament appearance in program history. The Salukis knocked off the No. 1 seed, Northern Iowa, 4-3, to win their first conference title since 1991.
"We've been second a lot in my 28 years here at SIU," head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "I can't even describe this. I was so impressed by the way our kids played and the way they fought. Their heart during the last 10 games has been incredible."
UNI scored the game's first run in the bottom of the third. It could have been worse, but SIU center fielder Merri Anne Patterson tracked a ball to the wall and stole a home run. Patterson ended the tournament with a perfect fielding percentage, 13 putouts, and an assist. Despite the robbed home run, UNI plated a run on two hits.
Southern didn't trail for long, as it put all four of its runs on the board in the top of the 4th. Two of the first three batters were retired with Brittany Turner at first base for the Salukis. Savannah Fisher then picked up a bunt single, completely catching the Panther defense off guard. Susie Baranski drew one of her two walks in the game, loading the bases. Eyrika Brandenburg then delivered the biggest hit of the weekend, bringing in two Salukis. On top, 2-1, SIU wasn't done. A wild pitch scored another run, then Shaye Harre singled up the middle to score Brandenburg and stretched Southern's lead to three. Harre finished the tournament with a batting average above .600 and drove in five runs.
SIU held on to its 4-1 lead through the fourth inning. The Panthers got one run back in the bottom half of the fifth with a solo blast, making the game 4-2.
"We had two competitors just going at each other," Blaylock said. "These teams were seeing each other for the fourth time this season. These were two good hitting teams coming into this one, but our kids were dialed in."
Going into the sixth, Northern Iowa capitalized on some momentum from the inning before. The Panthers led off the bottom half with back to back hits putting runners at second and third with nobody out. Savanna Dover came into the game to relieve starting pitcher Brianna Jones and picked up three-straight outs, only giving up one run on a sacrifice fly.
SIU led, 4-3, going into the seventh inning, only needing three outs to become conference champions. The Panthers got the leadoff batter on base with a five pitch walk. Dover then settled in and retired the next three batters, securing the Saluki win. It was Dover's first career save. The Saluki junior finished the weekend with a 0.00 ERA in 8.1 innings.
"I can't say enough about Savanna Dover," Blaylock said. "Coming in today and pitching last night…she did an amazing job. I'm so proud of our entire pitching staff and what they've done this season."
Dover, along with Jones, Patterson, and Harre were all selected to the All-Tournament team. Harre was also named the tourney's most valuable player and the Elite 18 award winner.
"I'm so proud of the kids and so happy for them," Blaylock said. "We've worked so hard all season for this moment and they deserve it."