INDIANA STATE STUMBLES AT No. 25 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Indiana State dropped a pair of Missouri Valley Conference contests to No. 25 Southern Illinois today (April 14) in the opening day of a three-game conference series. SIU took the first game by a score of 2-0, then came-from-behind to overtake the Sycamores, 5-3 in the nightcap. ISU is now 18-19, 6-10 while the Salukis improved to 30-7, 12-4.

ISU could not find the answer for Southern Illinois starting pitcher Cassidy Scoggins in the day’s first game. She allowed just two Sycamore hits in the contest as the Salukis scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning and held on throughout the balance of the game. ISU starter Darcy Wood allowed just two runs to the high-powered SIU offense, one of which was unearned.

The Sycamores grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning to take control of game two, but the Salukis answered to tie in the third, and then scored two more in the fourth for the 5-3 win.

Indiana State staked itself to the 3-0 lead in the second when Julie Damico and Meredith Simpson each posted RBI singles and ISU plated a third unearned run when Damico was able to score from first base on the Simpson single which was misplayed by the Saluki centerfielder.

Wood fell to 15-10 on the season, tossing all 12 innings during the day’s double-dip. She posted 11 strikeouts on the day.

ISU gets one more chance at the nationally-ranked Salukis tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. (EDT). The Sycamores need to salvage at least a victory on Saturday to remain in the Valley’s Top 6.

GAME ONE BOX SCORE

GAME TWO BOX SCORE