2001 Saluki Softball Season Outlook
03/14/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
January 17, 2001
With the return of seven starters and the addition of six newcomers, second-year head coach Kerri Blaylock believes all the pieces are in place to return the Southern Illinois University Carbondale softball team back to the top of the Missouri Valley Conference.
As the SIU softball team enters its 2001 season, however, one might impatiently anticipate the good things that lie ahead for the Salukis this spring.
And after an impressive show which featured a 40-plus win season for the first time since 1997, a pitcher's monumental assault on the league's all-time career strikeout record, and a pitching staff leading the Valley in ERA for the fourth consecutive year, you can see why the excitement is running high.
Finishing the 2000 season with an overall record of 41-22 and an even 9-9 mark in the MVC, Blaylock and her Salukis enter the 2001 term with the potential to take the Missouri Valley Conference by storm as the new-and-improved Dawgs appear to be even better than they were last season.
Pitching
Despite the loss of SIU's all-time career strikeout queen and Missouri Valley Conference strikeout leader Carisa Winters, senior Erin Stremsterfer returns to the hill as the Salukis' ace this season. Stremsterfer, a two-time first-team all-MVC pick, will look to be a major double threat in the Valley again this year. A model of consistency, Stremsterfer struck out a second best 166 batters last season en route to a 15-7 record that included four shutouts and four saves. In addition, she helped spearhead a pitching staff which led the league in ERA (0.83) for the fourth straight year while ranking third nationally. Meanwhile, at the plate, Stremsterfer batted a team-leading .281 while ranking first in six other offensive categories.
Off-setting Stremsterfer on the mound will be sophomore Katie Kloess who hurled her way to an impressive rookie debut. Kloess went 8-2 in 14 starts last season while posting a team best 0.57 ERA. Additionally, she struck out six batters in each of her first three appearances to start the 2000 season.
While Stremsterfer and Kloess combine as SIU's top two threats, freshman Mary Jaszczak gives Blaylock some added depth in the bullpen. Jaszczak joins the Salukis from Joliet Township High School where she was a three time all-SICA West Conference and two-time all-state selection. Sporting great composure on the mound, Jaszczak has the ability to contribute as a starter or a reliever.
"I think Erin is ready to step up and provide senior leadership to a very good staff," said Blaylock. "I look for Katie to be her steady self and with the addition of a pitcher with the caliber of Mary Jaszczak, I hope the staff will be a Valley leader again this year."
Infield
Whether its at shortstop or catcher, you may think you're seeing double as freshmen Adie and Haley Viefhaus bring a vast array of talent and versatility to this year's infield.
The Viefhaus twins, who join their big sister Marta on this year's squad, come to SIU from Eureka High School where they were named first-team all-Suburban South Conference.
While Haley will most likely be Blaylock's first choice at shortstop, Adie, on the other hand, will battle with junior Karrie Fortman for starting duties behind the plate. Fortman started in 56 games as the Salukis' catcher last season, while A. Viefhaus recorded 21 putouts between pickoffs and runners trying to steal to round out her prep career. Also adding depth to the catcher position will be junior Andrea Harris. Harris is coming off a shoulder injury which limited her to just six games last season.
In addition to the battle at catcher, first and second base will also be up for grabs as four players duke it out for starting responsibilities.
The senior pair of Netty Hallahan and Chiara Calvetti will go head-to-head at first again this season while senior Amanda Rexroat and sophomore Tahira Saafir will battle for the nod at second.
Hallahan led the Dawgs in triples (2) and RBIs (26) last season as the team's second leading hitter (.264) while Calvetti made 36 starts giving the Dawgs an extra boost when needed at the plate.
Meanwhile, Rexroat batted .211 last season and was switched back to second after spending most of her time in the outfield. Saafir, on the other hand, has great glove work and will be looked to share time with Rexroat at the second spot.
Rounding out the infield is senior Julie Meier who returns to occupy the hot corner in her final season as a Saluki. Probably one of SIU's most disciplined hitters, Meier batted .237 last season with a team leading 11 doubles. To go along with her success at the plate, Meier has also never missed a start in her career.
"I feel like with the addition of Adie and Haley Viefhaus, and Tahira Saafir, we have strengthened ourselves considerably on the infield and we are looking for our veterans to be as consistent as they were last year," added Blaylock.
Outfield
SIU's career home run leader in senior centerfielder Marta Viefhaus (21) returns to lead the Saluki outfield. A major threat at the plate and on the bases,Viefhaus hit a third best .261 last season while thieving a second best 20 bags.
Three others in juniors Jenny Guenther and Jessica Laughry along with sophomore Kendra Moore also return to give the Salukis stamina in the outfield.
Guenther gathered 20 hits in 94 plate appearances to post a .216 batting average while Laughry recovered from a broken arm injury in the fall to also register a .216 average at the plate. As for Moore, she saw action in 39 games while being relied on heavily for her speed in pinch run situations.
Newcomers Elissa Hopkins and Tara Glasco close out this year's cast of outfielders. Hopkins will look to bring some junior college experience to this year's unit as she joins the Salukis from John A. Logan College. While at JALC, Hopkins was named both all-Conference and all-Region XXIV.
A Johnston City High School standout, Glasco was a three-time all-Conference and all-South selection throughout her prep career.
"This year we actually have depth in the outfield which is something we have lacked in the past," concluded Blaylock. "We have six solid players who have the capability to step in and play at any time."