WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State softball team opens Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday at Wilkins Stadium playing host to perennial contender Southern Illinois. The three game series begins with a Saturday doubleheader starting at noon.

The young Shockers will look to end a nine-game losing streak following a promising, 6-7, start to the season. Wichita State should be prepared for the Salukis, who bring the MVC's best out of conference record, 12-7, to town, as they have challenged themselves against numerous teams from the big six conferences such as Baylor, Iowa, Arkansas, and Arizona State.

The Shockers have gained confidence recently with narrow losses to Indiana, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. The loss to Oklahoma State was particularly encouraging with Shockers falling in eight innings, 2-1.

Southern Illinois split four games this past weekend in Honolulu, Hawaii defeating Robert Morris and Radford and falling to host Hawaii and Marist.

You can follow the weekend action on the live stats page or by following inning-by inning updates on the Wichita State Softball Facebook page.

-WICHITA STATE-