15 minutes to first pitch. Going against #2 Belmont. Dawgs took 2 of 3 against them in Nashville in late March.
Playing for a 3-peat Valley tournament championship - the first in program history - and another trip to the NCAAs.
Freshman Emma Gipson getting the start.
Bad top of the 3rd. Gipson gave up back-to-back homers and was pulled.
Dawgs down 0-2.
Too much Maya Johnson. Belmont wins 6 - 2 and gets the autobid. Doubt the Salukis get an at-large with just 33 wins. Exactly why I hate conference tournaments: you were the best team all season but get upset in the championship game so you sit at home.
Johnson is one of the top pitchers in the country and only a junior. Leads the country in wins - 24 - and strikeouts. Held SIU to 4 hits and had 12 strikeouts. Pitched three days in a row and was named the MVP of the tournament. Really bugs me that the MVC website makes a big deal of the tournament championship with a flashy article, when it barely mentions that SIU won the regular season championship!
Gipson and Newcomb weren't at their best today unfortunately.
Good season and MVC Champs though! Lis, Williams, and Carder all made the All-Tournament team.
Now the coaches need to get out there and sign some great pitching talent. Pitching is everything in softball.
Any chance of an at-least bid?
Not likely.
