Southern Illinois University
Indiana
SIU Softball Clinches Second Straight Southern Classic Title
03/14/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 4, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. -
Erin Stremsterfer hit a two-run home run while Amanda Rexroat had a two-RBI single to lead Southern Illinois University Carbondale to a 5-1 win over Indiana University Sunday in the Southern Classic.
The win clinched the Southern Classic title for SIU marking its second straight in seven times hosting the event.
The Salukis jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Stremsterfer blasted Hoosier pitcher Alison Cooke's first delivery over the right center fence. The homer, which marked Stremsterfer's first of the season drove in Netty Hallahan who began the frame with a leadoff walk.
Carrying its two-run lead into the top of the fifth, SIU then loaded the bases as Hallahan and Stremsterfer both walked and Haley Viefhaus singled to left. Rexroat then stepped in and singled to center knocking in H. Viefhaus and Hallahan to build the Dawgs' lead to 4-0.
SIU would score one more in the top of the seventh off a double by H. Viefhaus which brought in Hallahan to increase its margin to 5-0.
One out away from a shutout, Indiana then scored one run in its final at-bat when Abby Stark came home on a fielding error by rightfielder Tara Glasco as the game ended 5-1 in favor of the Salukis.
Stremsterfer was 1-for-2 with two RBIs while Rexroat was 1-for-4. H. Viefhaus also paced the Dawgs going 2-for-2 with a double, one RBI, and one run scored. Hallahan then scored three runs as well to help SIU?s attack.
Stremsterfer also picked up the win on the mound to improve to 3-1 on the season. In seven innings pitched, Stremsterfer was touched for just five hits while striking out 12.
SIU, now 6-4 on the season and currently on a five-game winning streak, will return to action Friday-Sunday, Mar. 9-11 when the Salukis travel to San Jose, Calif., to compete in the National Invitational Softball Tournament. SIU will open play on Friday against California (10 a.m.), Iowa (4 p.m.), and UC Santa Barbara (6 p.m.).
