CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Salukis are winding down their season, with only one team still competing after baseball finished at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The focus now shifts to track and field, which will send select athletes to the NCAA West Regionals this week.
Baseball Highlights
The baseball team had an exciting run last week, reaching Championship Sunday before facing elimination. They kicked off the tournament with a strong 8-4 victory against #5 Evansville. Mason Schwalbach hit a homer, and together with Tim Simay, contributed to five of the team’s eight RBIs. Andrew Evans also stood out on the mound, allowing just two runs over six innings.
However, they stumbled against #1 UIC, suffering an 11-1 defeat. Southern’s only run came from Jacob McKenzie’s RBI.
With their backs against the wall, SIU pulled off a nail-biting 3-2 win against Evansville, thanks to RBIs from Jaden Flores and McKenzie. Pitcher Charlie Miller delivered a solid eight-inning performance, giving up only two runs.
The team continued to impress by beating the second seed, Indiana State, 7-5, highlighted by Kaleb Hall’s grand slam in the ninth. Dylan Petrey came in clutch with two scoreless innings to secure the win.
In the semifinals, the Salukis triumphed over #3 Murray State, winning 9-7. Simay and Schwalbach both had two RBIs, while Meade Johnson earned the save by shutting out the Racers for the last three innings. This secured SIU’s spot in their first Championship Sunday since 2022.
Facing UIC again, SIU needed to win two to claim the title but fell short, losing 7-2. Kristian Sprawling provided the only RBI in this game, while Evan’s solid start continued to shine through.
At the end of the season, the Salukis finished with a 27-32 overall record and a 14-10 mark in conference play.
Track and Field Action
Track and field is gearing up this week as five athletes and a relay team prepare for the NCAA West Regionals in Fayetteville, Arkansas, from May 27 to May 30. This event is critical, as it offers athletes a chance to showcase their skills and possibly qualify for the national championship later in the season.
Looking Ahead
Following the Salukis’ efforts reminds us of the importance of community support in college athletics. Recent studies show that teams with engaged fan bases often enjoy better performance as well as higher morale among players. So, the excitement that fans bring can truly impact the outcome of games.
If you want to follow the Salukis on social media and keep up with their journey, you can find them on X at @SIUSalukis, Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at Saluki Athletics. You can also download the “Salukis” Mobile App available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
The coming weeks promise to be exciting as we witness the dedication and hard work of our athletes!
