Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Drake
Rexroat Catches Fire as SIU Completes Three-Game Sweep
04/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 18, 2001
Amanda Rexroat went 5-for-8 with two home runs, four RBIs, and three runs scored to lead Southern Illinois University to both 7-0 and 4-0 wins over Drake University (6-13-1, 0-3) Sunday in Missouri Valley Conference softball action at IAW Fields.
For SIU, the two wins completed a three-game sweep over Drake as the Salukis now stand at 14-7, 3-0 on the year.
In the first game, SIU scored one or more runs in every other inning beginning with the first as Netty Hallahan came home on a Jen Guenther single to give the Dawgs an early 1-0 lead. Two frames later, Erin Stremsterfer stepped in and delivered her second home run of the series which brought in Hallahan to increase the lead to 3-0. With Hallahan on again in the fifth, Rexroat then dug in and sent one sailing over the center field wall to make it 5-0. Another two-run home run by Rexroat in the seventh finally capped off the 7-0 bashing.
For Rexroat, her multiple home run game marked the first time a SIU player has hit two or more dingers in a game since Marta Viefhaus accomplished the feat last season at Eastern Illinois (3/29/00). The Salukis, who scattered seven hits, were also paced by Guenther who went 2-for-3 with one RBI and Hallahan who walked three times while also scoring three runs. Katie Kloess took the win on the hill to even her record at 3-3 on the year. Kloess pitched the distance striking out three.
A three-run first inning rally then helped SIU to its 4-0 win in game two. Hallahan led off the bottom half of the inning with a walk only to score on an error by Drake second baseman Greta Nelson. With one out and Rexroat on third following Nelson's boot, Julie Meier grounded out to second to score Rexroat giving the Salukis a 2-0 lead. Elissa Hopkins capped off the rally with a single which drove in Stremsterfer to make it 3-0 SIU.
After having walked in four of five at-bats between the two games, Hallahan then blasted a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to secure the 4-0 win.
Rexroat's two hits paced the SIU attack at the plate while Hallahan, M. Viefhaus, Jessica Laughry, Hopkins, and Tahira Saafir each singled as well. Stremsterfer earned the win on the mound to improve to 10-2 on the season. In seven innings pitched, Stremsterfer struck out 11 batters while being touched for five hits.
SIU will remain home to host Southeast Missouri State in a doubleheader Tuesday, Mar. 20. The twin bill is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m., at IAW Fields.
