WICHITA, Kan. - The Wichita State softball team dropped both games of Saturday's Missouri Valley Conference opening doubleheader, 11-8 and 5-0, to Southern Illinois at Wilkins Stadium.

In game one Wichita State fell behind 2-0 in the first inning on a two-run double by Southern Illinois second baseman Jayna Spivey.

Wichita State answered back in the bottom of the second inning when Melanie Jaegers hit a single to right center to score Erin Carney.

The Salukis scored two more runs in the third to increase their lead to 4-1 before the Shockers mounted their most impressive offensive inning of the season in the bottom of the third. Sydney Stuever and Carney hit a pair of two-run home runs to center field to highlight a seven run outburst.

Unfortunately for Shocker fans, Southern Illinois would score seven unanswered runs to win the game going away after the Shockers seemingly had momentum fully headed in their direction.

The days' momentum continued in the Salukis favor in game two of the doubleheader as Allie VadeBoncouer roped an RBI double down the left field line in the first inning to give SIU the early 1-0 lead.

That was all the help Saluki starting pitcher Brittney Lang needed as the freshman pitched a complete game seven-hitter striking out four Shockers for the victory.

SIU added a single run in all but the second and fifth inning to complete the margin of victory.

Both teams will matchup again Sunday for the series finale at 12 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium.

-WICHITA STATE-