Saluki Softball Sets to Open League Play with Drake
04/16/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 15, 2001
Salukis to Open League Play . . . After its six-day spring trip to California, the Southern Illinois University Carbondale softball team returns home to open Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend when the Salukis play host to Drake on Saturday-Sunday, Mar. 17-18, at IAW Fields. SIU opens its three-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon before closing out the trio of contests on Sunday with a single game at noon as well.
Wear your Green . . . When SIU heads into its three-game series this weekend, the Salukis will hope to get a little luck from the patron St. Patty as Saturday's twin bill versus Drake falls on St. Patrick's Day (Mar. 17). Sporting an all-time record of 7-10 in games over the annual Irish holiday, the Salukis will look to remain undefeated at IAW Fields where the Dawgs are 3-0 this season.
Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot . . . Despite their most recent 2-1 loss to St. Mary's (Mar. 13), the Salukis have won five of their last six games and 10 of their last 13. Standing at 11-7 overall, SIU will look to carry its momentum into this weekend's league opener with Drake.
Consolation Champs . . . Registering a 4-2 record at the 15th Annual National Invitational Softball Tournament in San Jose, Calif. (Mar. 9-11), Southern Illinois was crowned consolation champions of the three-day event. SIU, who fell to No. 4 California (2-0) and No. 12 Iowa (3-1) to open pool play, turned around to win its next four games en route to the title. In addition, the top three finishers of the tournament were all in the same pool as California won the tournament, Iowa finished runner-up, and Southern Illinois came in third.
How is it Possible? . . . Prior to its doubleheader with St. Mary's (CA), SIU had been out-hit (82-80) and out-scored (32-31) by its opponents, but yet still managed to win four straight games en route to its consolation title at the National Invitational Softball Tournament (Mar. 9-11). Although the Salukis now lead their opponents in runs (36-34) after Tuesday's split with the Gaels, SIU still trails in both hits (89-88) and runs batted in (28-26). In addition, the Dawgs' team batting average dropped from .203 to .199 over their eight-game visit to the Golden State.
Three-Peat . . . For the third consecutive week and sixth time in her career, senior Erin Stremsterfer was named Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week. Posting a record of 4-1 in the prestigious National Invitational Softball Tournament, Stremsterfer threw 39.1 innings and struck out 39, while allowing only three runs. Winning eight of her last nine starts, Stremsterfer also garnered the honor on Feb. 27 and Mar. 4.
Stremsterfer Named to All-Tournament Team . . . Erin Stremsterfer was named to an all-Tournament Team for the second time this season at the 15th Annual National Invitational Softball Tournament. Compiling a 4-1 record with 39 strikeouts on the mound while smacking two game-winning singles at the plate, Stremsterfer's all-Tournament accolade was second to her honor at the New Mexico State Troy Cox Invitational (Feb. 23-25), earlier this season.
Series History vs. Drake . . . SIU has won its last five games over Drake as the overall series stands at 28-13-1 in favor of the Salukis. Sweeping the Bulldogs in doubleheaders the past two seasons, SIU hasn't lost to Drake since March 2, 1998.
About the Bulldogs . . . Drake University enters its 2001 MVC opener this weekend coming off three straight losses and one tie. Sporting an overall record of 6-10-1 this season, the Bulldogs are led by Julie Moses who is batting .333 on the year. Joining Moses in batting over .300 this season are Lauren Smith (.320), Brook Buchanan (.313), and Melani Thevemote (.310).
Head Coach Kerri Blaylock . . . Kerri Blaylock (Evansville, '88) is in her second year as head coach and 11th overall with the Saluki softball program. In her debut at the helm last season, Blaylock guided SIU to its first 40-win season since 1997 as the Dawgs finished 41-22 overall and 9-9 in the MVC. Directing a pitching staff which led the Missouri Valley Conference in ERA (0.83) for the fourth straight year while ranking third nationally, Blaylock's squad also registered a fourth place finish at the Valley Tournament. Prior to being named head coach, Blaylock served as the Salukis' pitching coach for five seasons and has served as an assistant coach at SIU for nine years.
About the Salukis . . . The Salukis enter their Missouri Valley Conference season with an overall record of 11-7. Winning its last 10 of 13 games, SIU is led by Amanda Rexroat who is batting .273 at the plate. In 44 at-bats, Rexroat has a second best 12 hits on the year and a team leading six runs batted in. Following Rexroat is Erin Stremsterfer who is batting .250 with one home run, two doubles, one triple and four RBIs. Julie Meier then rounds out the top three offensive threats batting .232 with three RBIs.
On the Run . . . Through 18 games, senior first baseman Netty Hallahan is SIU's current leader in runs scored with 12 on the season. Batting .216 on the season, Hallahan has scored at least one run in three of the Salukis' last five games.
Pure Domination . . . Senior P/DP Erin Stremsterfer ranks among the top three in 10 offensive categories for the Salukis this season. Leading SIU in both slugging percentage (.409) and total bases (18). Tying for first in doubles (2), triples (1), and home runs (1), Stremsterfer also lists second in runs (8), runs batted in (4), and on base percentage (.353) and third in hits (11) and walks (5). In addition, she is the team's leading pitcher. With a record of 8-2, Stremsterfer holds a team best 0.52 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched.
Two-riffic . . . In SIU's 2-1 win over San Jose State (Mar. 10) in the National Invitational Softball Tournament, senior third baseman Julie Meier knocked in the Salukis' only two runs of the game. Meier, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the game, singled in both the top of the first and top of the sixth to give the Dawgs the win.
Delivering in the Clutch . . . Senior sensation Erin Stremsterfer hit two game-winning singles this past weekend to help SIU to a pair of late-game victories in the National Invitational Softball Tournament. In the Salukis' matchup against Sacramento State, Stremsterfer singled in the bottom of the eighth to give SIU a 1-0 win before turning around the next day to knock in SIU's only run against San Jose State (Mar. 11) in the bottom of the third to secure a 1-0 victory in the consolation championship.
Give it up for the Rookie . . . Freshman Mary Jaszczak picked up her first collegiate victory during the front end of SIU's doubleheader against Saint Mary's this past Tuesday. Jaszczak, now 1-2 on the season, threw four scoreless no-hit innings before being touched for just two hits and one walk.
I Dare You . . . Between catchers Karrie Fortman and Adie Viefhaus, the two have combined to either pick off or gun down runners trying to steal on seven occasions this season. Allowing 16 stolen bases in 23 attempts this season, Fortman leads the team with five pickoffs while Viefhaus is second with two.
Hopkins' Bat Heating Up . . . Junior transfer Elissa Hopkins went 2-for-6 with a home run, two runs scored, and one RBI in SIU's latest doubleheader at St. Mary's College (Mar. 13). The native of Alto Pass, Ill., sent three balls to the fence in the Salukis' 4-0 win over the Gaels. The first being a four-base error that bounced off St. Mary's centerfielder Talaya Turner's glove to just clear the wall in center. Following another deep blast to left field that was caught at the warning track, Hopkins then went the same way in the top of the sixth to pick up her first home run of the season. On the year, Hopkins is batting .200 and has played in 12 games while starting four.
Saluki Pitching Getting it Done . . . Despite its struggle at the plate, SIU's solid pitching effort from Erin Stremsterfer, Mary Jaszczak, and Katie Kloess has been getting the job done. The three have combined for a 1.33 earned run average led by ace Stremsterfer's 0.52 mark. In 126 innings pitched, the trio has struck out 125 batters while being touched for just 24 earned runs.
Terror on the Basepaths . . . In 18 games this season, SIU has been hard for opponents to handle on the basepaths as the Salukis have stolen 20 bases in 23 attempts. Spearheaded by Marta Viefhaus' perfect 5-of-5 effort and Erin Stremsterfer's 5-of-7 mark, the Salukis have thieved at least one bag in all but five games this season.