John Lock, associate sports information director, said Hofstra agreed to cancel the game outright instead of forcing the Dawgs to forfeit after several players and coaches became ill during the course of the team’s trip in Florida. The first person became ill Thursday night, the same day they left for the tournament.
He said the illnesses were stomach related, with several players vomiting. Catcher Jessa Thomas did not play in any of the Salukis’ three games in Fort Meyers, and utility Jessica Heese sat out of Saturday’s 6-5 loss to host Florida Gulf Coast. Their illnesses left SIU with one remaining offensive substitute.