CARLINVILLE, Ill. - The softball team is the 2025 SLIAC regular-season co-champion after its impressive season. The Panthers finished it off with a sweep over Blackburn, pulling off a dramatic 4–3 comeback win over the Beavers in game one and witnessing a perfect game from Sarah Salas in game two.

How it Happened:

Game 1: 

Trailing 3–1 after a three-run Blackburn sixth inning, Greenville responded with clutch hitting in the top of the seventh, scoring three runs to steal the victory. 

The Panthers saw RBI singles from Madi Case and Sydnee Garrett, followed by a game-winning double from Sarah Salas.

Melissa Bernal (14-1) went the distance in the circle for Greenville, striking out six without issuing a walk.

Ashlyn Colvis had two hits and an RBI, while Case also tallied two hits and scored once.

Game 2:

Greenville extended its dominant season with a 4-0 road win over Blackburn in game two, powered by a no-hitter from Salas. Salas struck out seventeen batters without allowing a baserunner, improving her record to 8-0 in a complete-game masterpiece. With this outstanding performance, Salas broke the single-game strikeout record for GU and is tied for second in SLIAC history.

Offensively, the Panthers broke through in the second inning when Destiny Dunlap launched a solo home run. They sealed the game with a three-run seventh, highlighted by an RBI double from Case and a two-run homer by Colvis.

Greenville tallied eleven hits, with Natalee Moore and Dunlap each collecting two.

Now 33-3 overall and 16-2 in conference play, the Panthers end the regular season as the 2025 SLIAC Conference Champions for the first time in school and conference history. 

Up Next:

The Panthers (33-3, 16-2 SLIAC) are seeded second in the conference tournament and receive a bye. They'll play in Louisville, Ky., on Thursday.