Rexroat, Stremsterfer Honored by MVC
04/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 19, 2001
Southern Illinois University seniors Amanda Rexroat and Erin Stremsterfer were named the Missouri Valley Conference's Offensive Player and Pitcher of the Week, announced Monday, Mar. 19.
For Stremsterfer, this week marked the fourth consecutive time this season and seventh in her career that she has garnered the honor.
In SIU's three-game sweep over Drake, Rexroat went 6-for-10 with two home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored while Stremsterfer went 2-0 on the mound with 23 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. In addition, this week marked the first time that two players from the same team took both honors since Maggie Ross and Jessica Huff of Evansville did it on April 10, 2000.
Notes for Doubleheader vs. SEMO:
Salukis Remain Home to Host Twin Bill . . . Following its three-game sweep over Drake, Southern Illinois remains home and returns to non-conference action Tuesday, Mar. 20 when the Dawgs play host to Southeast Missouri State in a doubleheader beginning at 2:30 p.m.
There's No Place Like Home . . . SIU, currently 14-7, 3-0 overall, is off to its best home start since the 1991 season when the Salukis opened up with a flawless 17-0 mark. Sporting a perfect 6-0 record at IAW Fields, SIU hasn't lost a game on its home turf since April 20, 2000 when the Dawgs fell to Evansville by a score of 1-0.
Sizzlin' . . . Currently on a three-game winning streak, the Salukis have won eight of their last nine games and 13 of their last 16. Standing at 14-7, 3-0 overall, SIU will look to carry its momentum into this week's non-league duel with Southeast Missouri.
Get out the Brooms!! . . . SIU opened Missouri Valley Conference play this past weekend with a three-game series sweep over Drake University as the Salukis shut out the Bulldogs 8-0 (6), 7-0, and 4-0. Sporting a team batting average of .199 prior to the weekend, SIU's bats caught fire as the Dawgs combined for 22 hits and five home runs in the three game span. Sparked by Amanda Rexroat who batted .600 (6-for-10) with two homers, four RBI, four runs scored and 12 total bases, the Salukis were able to increase their overall average considerably as it now stands at .212 on the year.
Rexroat and Stremsterfer Named Players of the Week . . . Seniors Amanda Rexroat (UT) and Erin Stremsterfer (P) were named Missouri Valley Conference Offensive Player and Pitcher of the Week Monday, Mar. 19. In SIU's three-game sweep over Drake, Rexroat went 6-for-10 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored while Stremsterfer went 2-0 on the mound with 23 strikeouts in 13 innings of work. For Stremsterfer, this week marked the fourth consecutive time this season and seventh in her career that she was named the Valley's Pitcher of the Week. In addition, this week also marked the first time that two players from the same team took both honors since Maggie Ross and Jessica Huff of Evansville did it on April 10, 2000.
It's Outta Here . . . Five Saluki players have combined to hit eight home runs in SIU's first 21 games this season. Led by Erin Stremsterfer's three, Amanda Rexroat follows with two while Jen Guenther, Elissa Hopkins, and Netty Hallahan each have one. In addition, all but two of the long balls have been at IAW Fields.
Rexroat Unloads . . . In SIU's three-game shutout sweep over Drake, Amanda Rexroat went 6-for-10 (.600) with two home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored. Homering in two consecutive at-bats in the Salukis? 7-0 front end win on Sunday, Mar. 18, Rexroat became the first SIU player to hit a pair of home runs in one game since Marta Viefhaus did it last season at Eastern Illinois (Mar. 29).
Out Walkin' Around . . . Having walked in four straight at-bats in SIU's last two games of the series with Drake, senior Netty Hallahan smacked a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning during the nightcap of Sunday's twin bill to end the span. Hallahan, who leads the team with 18 walks this season, is batting .209 with a triple, a home run, and two RBI. Additionally, Hallahan also leads in runs scored with 17 on the year.
Stremster-fire . . . SIU's ace pitcher/designated player Erin Stremsterfer continues to create all sorts of problems for both opposing teams' hitters and pitchers as the major double threat came up big again this past weekend. In the Salukis' league debut against Drake, she hit a pair of home runs, drove in four runs, and scored five others at the plate while going 2-0 with 23 strikeouts through 13 innings of work inside the circle. Stremsterfer, who is batting .236 this season, leads the team in home runs (3) while ranking second in hits (13), runs scored (13), doubles (2), RBI (8), and stolen bases (5).
One, Two, Three Strikes You're Out . . . Ace righthanded pitcher Erin Stremsterfer is the Dawgs' strikeout leader with 132 whiffs this season. Sporting an ERA of 0.45, Stremsterfer has allowed 49 hits while being touched for just six earned runs in 93 innings pitched. Winning nine out of her last 10 starts, Stremsterfer stands at 10-2 on the year as her 525 career strikeouts currently rank second behind Carisa Winters' 896 (1997-00) on the school's all-time list.
Kloess Evens Out . . . After losing three of her previous four starts, sophomore Katie Kloess bounced back with a win against Drake to even her record to 3-3 on the year. In SIU's 7-0 shutout victory over the Bulldogs, Kloess pitched the distance allowing three hits while striking out three others to earn her first shutout decision of the season.
Blast From the Past . . . If there's anyone familiar with the Southeast Missouri State softball program it's head coach Kerri Blaylock and second year assistant Buddy Foster. Prior to joining SIU, both served as graduate assistant coaches with the Otahkians. Blaylock, who obtained her master?s degree in business administration at SEMO in 1991, coached from 1989-90 while Foster coached four years following his graduation from Southeast Missouri as well.
Viefhaus' Bat Comes Alive . . . SIU's career home run leader in senior centerfielder Marta Viefhaus, who has gone hitless in 12 games this season, came alive in the Salukis? duel with Drake this past weekend. In the three-game series, Viefhaus was 5-for-8 with two RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Batting .241 on the season, Viefhaus leads the Salukis in stolen bases (7) as well.
Streakin' . . . Junior transfer Elissa Hopkins is currently on a four-game hitting streak after going 4-for-12 over the Salukis' last four games. Hopkins, who is the teams' fourth leading hitter batting .241, also has one home run, two runs batted in, and two runs scored.
On the Road Again . . . SIU will return to Missouri Valley Conference play Saturday-Sunday, Mar. 24-25, when the Salukis head to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for a three-game series with Northern Iowa. On Saturday, both teams will square off in a doubleheader at noon before concluding with a single game on Sunday at noon as well.
If you haven't done so already . . . the Southern Illinois University softball team invites you to attend its second annual Fundraising Dinner sponsored by Rochman Investment Group. This year's event will take place on Friday, Mar. 30, at Fred's Dance Barn in Carterville, Ill. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a prize raffle. Cost is $15.00 and all proceeds will benefit the SIU softball program. For more information, you can contact Kerri Blaylock at (618) 453-5466.