CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois scored a first-inning run and it was the deciding run as SIU edged the Drake University softball team, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in the series finale between the teams.
 
Drake (14-13) out hit SIU (14-9), 4-3, in the game. The Bulldogs also drew four walks and stranded all eight baserunners.
 
The Salukis scored their run after their leadoff batter singled and then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt and error by Nicole Timmons (Davenport, Iowa). After Timmons coaxed a pop up, the next batter singled to center field for the game's only run. SIU hit into a double play to end the first.
 
Three times, Drake put runners in scoring position, including loading the bases with one out in the third. However, the Bulldogs just couldn't get the timely hit to tie or take the lead.
 
Timmons pitched two innings and allowed one run on three hits with one walk and one strikeout. Her record dropped to 7-6. Nicole Newman (Madison, Wis.) pitched five inning scoreless innings in relief and allowed zero hits with five strikeouts.
 
Gabbie Jonas (Omaha, Neb.) led the offense with two hits. Newman and Mandi Roemmich (West Des Moines, Iowa) had the other hits.
 
Drake plays at Bradley, March 23-24, with all three games on ESPN3. Saturday's doubleheader will start at 12 p.m. and Sunday's lone game will have an 11 a.m. first pitch.