Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Wichita St
Salukis Sweep Shockers, Win Sixth Straight
04/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 1, 2001
Haley Viefhaus and Amanda Rexroat hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the third inning to lead Southern Illinois University to a 2-0 win over Wichita State (14-15, 4-4) as the Salukis completed a three-game sweep of the Shockers Sunday at IAW Fields.
The win marked SIU's fourth straight MVC win and sixth straight overall as the Salukis have now won their last 16 of 19 games.
In what appeared to be a pitcher's duel to start the game as both Erin Stremsterfer and Stacey Chamberlain duked it out for two straight scoreless innings, the SIU bats suddenly caught fire in the bottom of the third.
Following a Elissa Hopkins line out to second, Karrie Fortman singled to right center. Kendra Moore then pinch ran for Fortman and immediately stole second before Netty Hallahan flied out to right for the second out. Viefhaus then dug in and belted a double to right center to score Moore. Up 1-0, Rexroat put the ball in play in the same spot as her double to right center then scored Viefhaus to secure the 2-0 shutout.
Neither team would score again for the remaining three and a half innings as Stremsterfer would coast to her 12th straight win on the mound to improve to 16-2 on the year. Stremsterfer pitched the distance to pick up her eighth shutout of the season fanning 10 batters on a three-hitter.
Offensively, the Dawgs combined for eight hits which brought their team batting average up from .214 to .219. In addition to Viefhaus' and Rexroat's two hits apiece, Jen Guenther, Hallahan, Marta Viefhaus, and Fortman also singled to round out the attack.
Southern Illinois, now 22-9, 8-1 on the season, will return to action on Wednesday, Apr. 4, when the Salukis play host to Evansville in a single game beginning at 3 p.m.
