CARBONDALE, ILL. ? Despite an RBI pinch-hit single from sophomore Kelsey Alsdorf in the seventh inning, the Kansas University softball team’s rally fell short as Southern Illinois defeated the Jayhawks, 3-1, Saturday at the Coach B Classic.

KU, which defeated Illinois-Chicago, 4-3, earlier in the day, fell to 8-9 overall. SIU improved to 11-6.

Senior pitcher Sarah Vertelka (3-5) limited the Salukis to just four hits in the complete-game outing, but three of those hits occurred in the bottom of the second inning, giving SIU a 3-0 lead.

Maggie Hull had KU’s only hit through the first six innings, a single to shortstop in the top of the fourth.

After struggling to create some offense, freshman Mariah Montgomery earned a base on balls in the seventh inning and advanced on a single from junior Brittany Hile. Both runners moved ahead one bag when senior Amanda Jobe grounded out to first base. Alsdorf then stepped up to the plate as a pinch hitter and knocked a single past the second baseman to plate Montgomery.

The Salukis ended KU’s rally on the next play, striking out freshman Rosie Hull to end the game.

In the first game, a two-run home run from Hile broke a 2-2 tie to help KU win against Illinois-Chicago.

The Flames scored all three of their runs on solo homers.

Freshman Alex Jones threw a complete game, striking out a personal-best seven batters and allowing no walks.

Kansas will wrap up the weekend this morning with two games. The Jayhawks will face Western Illinois at 9 a.m., followed by an 11 a.m. contest versus SIU-Edwardsville.