CARBONDALE, Ill. — No. 5 seed Illinois State softball and No. 2 seed Southern Illinois battled through a scoreless pitchers' duel before the Salukis walked it off in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 1-0 victory in the Missouri Valley Conference Championships on Friday afternoon at Charlotte West Stadium.

The Redbirds end the season, 29-22, the most wins since finishing 30-22 in 2023.

BIRD BITS (vs. No. 2 SIU)

Offensive Highlights

Bella Atkinson: 2-for-4

Lauren Flowers: 2-for-3

Morgan Calhoun: 2-for-4

Pitching Breakdown

Paige McLeod: 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 0 K

Hannah Meshnick (L, 6-11): 3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Redbirds threatened early and often, recording nine hits on the afternoon, but failed to push a run across as they stranded 12. Lauren Flowers, Bella Atkinson and Morgan Calhoun each collected two hits to lead Illinois State offensively.

The Redbird pitching staff kept the Salukis off the board through seven innings. Paige McLeod tossed four scoreless innings, allowing three hits while working around three walks. Hannah Meshnick followed with 3.2 strong innings in relief, striking out four.

Southern Illinois finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth. Sydney Potter opened the inning with a double before Hayden Kurtz delivered the game-winning RBI single to secure the walk-off win for the Salukis.

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