Saluki Softball to Duel with Evansville in Key MVC Doubleheader
05/01/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 18, 2001
* Tied Teams Take Your Mark . . . Southern Illinois returns to Missouri Valley Conference action on Wednesday, Apr. 18, when the Salukis head to Evansville, Ind., to take on the University of Evansville in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Both teams, who stand tied for second in the MVC with 12-4 league marks, will finish off a three-game series that was started on April 4, in Carbondale, Ill.
* Regionally Ranked . . . The NCAA Division I Women's Softball Committee has released its Division I women's softball biweekly regional poll. This ranking, and the first ranking of the season (March 29), is listed in alphabetical order and not according to record. As of April 12, the Midwest Region was picked as follows: Baylor, Illinois State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Southern Illinois, Southwest Texas State, Texas A&M, Texas Tech.
* Among the Nation's Best . . . Senior right-handed pitcher Erin Stremsterfer was ranked among NCAA Division I national softball leaders for the second consecutive week. Through games of April 8, Stremsterfer ranked 17th in strikeouts per seven innings (9.6), ninth in earned run average (0.60), tied for 19th in most victories (17) and tied for sixth in most saves (4). In addition, the Salukis listed 15th as a team in pitching with a 1.14 ERA.
* MVC Season Passes Halfway Point. . . The Missouri Valley Conference league season has passed the halfway point in its first year of the 27-conference game format. This season, teams play nine three-game series, expanding on the previous 18-game league season, which require all teams to face each other twice. All 10 teams are still mathematically alive to make the Valley's six-team postseason tourney (May 10-12).
* 30 Something . . . With 252 strikeouts this season, senior Erin Stremsterfer is on pace to break the Valley's single season strikeout record, currently held by Bradley's Beth Hawkins (281, 1986). Stremsterfer needs just 30 more strikeouts to surpass Hawkins. Averaging 6.1 Ks per game, Stremsterfer has struck out 10 or more batters in 12 of SIU's 41 games this season.
* Terror on the Basepaths . . . Senior Marta Viefhaus stole three more bases this past week to remain a perfect 16-of-16 on the paths this season. Sporting a career total of 62 thefts, Viefhaus needs just two more bags to break SIU's all-time career stolen base record, currently held by Jami Koss (63, 1993-96). The Valley all-time mark is 88 (Tara Pearson, BU, 1994-97), but third place is in reach (68, Amy Vaira, INS and Amy Pera, BU).
* First Time for Everything . . . SIU's recent 11-0 victory over Southeast Missouri State Monday was a game of firsts in more ways than one. While the Salukis combined to scatter 11 hits which tied a season high, senior Julie Meier and freshman Haley Viefhaus enjoyed their first home runs of the year. Johnston City, IIl., freshman Tara Glasco also delivered an RBI-single for the first time in her collegiate career while SIU scored 11 runs which were a season first as well.
* 38 Special . . . With its current overall record of 29-12, Southern Illinois is nine victories away from winning 38 games for the fifth time in the program's 24-year history. In coach Kerry Blaylock's first year last season, the team put together its first 40-win season (41-22) since 1997. If the Salukis win 38 games this year, Blaylock will be the second league coach (ISU?s Melinda Fischer) and first Saluki coach to win 38 or more games in back-to-back seasons.
* Hat Trick of Homers . . . SIU's Julie Meier, Netty Hallahan, and Haley Viefhaus combined to hit three home runs to help lift SIU to its 11-0 blanking of Southeast Missouri State this past Monday. The three home runs fell just two shy of tying the Salukis' single game record of five homers hit vs. Northern Iowa (April 19, 1998) and Austin Peay (March 5, 1991).
* While You Were Sweeping . . . SIU's 3-0 sweep of Wichita State (Mar. 31-Apr. 1) marked the second time this season that the Salukis have blanked a Valley opponent in three games. Also posting a 3-0 series win over Drake (Mar. 17-18) earlier this season, the Salukis will look to remain in second place heading into their doubleheader with Evansville Wednesday.
* Twin Killing . . . Between sisters Adie (C) and Haley (SS) Viefhaus, the two have hooked up to peg runners trying to steal on five occasions this season. A. Viefhaus' five pickoffs also combine with Karrie Fortman's seven as the two catchers have allowed just 42 stolen bases in 50 attempts this season.
* Punch 'Em Out . . . Erin Stremsterfer has been seemingly untouchable inside the circle in SIU's first 41 games this season. Throwing 11 shutouts and picking up four saves while pitching 22 complete games, the Manchester, Mo., native has also caught an impressive 76 of her 252 strikeout victims looking on strikes.
* It's Outta Here . . . Seven Saluki players have combined to hit 14 home runs in SIU's first 41 games this season. Led by Erin Stremsterfer's four, Netty Hallahan follows with three, Amanda Rexroat and Jen Guenther each have two, and Elissa Hopkins, Julie Meier and Haley Viefhaus all have one. In addition, all but six of the long balls have been hit at IAW Fields.
* Baker's Dozen . . . Although it hasn't seemed like it at certain times this season, SIU currently leads its opponents in 13 offensive categories. Batting .214 to its opponents' .179, the Salukis lead their foes in runs (121-57), hits (214-185), triples (5-4), doubles (32-27), RBI (96-45), total bases (298-247), slugging percentage (.298-.239), bases on balls (111-34), on-base percentage (.297-.212), sacrifice flies (8-3), sacrifice hits (55-28), and stolen bases (42-28).
* Out Walkin' Around . . . Batting .225 with four doubles, two triples, three home runs, and 10 RBI, senior Netty Hallahan currently leads the Salukis in walks this season with 30. Hallahan's 30 free tickets stand just two walks away from tying a season high 32 walks drawn by both Mandy Miller (1995) and Colleen Holloway (1992). In addition, the Salukis have drawn a stunning 111 walks as a team this season.
* Meier for Hire . . . Batting .227 on the season, senior third baseman Julie Meier is currently on a six-game hitting streak. Also registering three doubles, one home run and a second best 14 RBI, Meier is the only player on this year's roster who hasn't missed a start in her career. Since joining SIU in 1998, Meier has made 192-of-192 consecutive starts at the hot corner.
* Up, Up, and Away . . . Batting a mere .208 as a team prior to Monday's game in Cape Girardeau, Mo., SIU saw its average soar to .214 following a 11-hit effort against Southeast Missouri. Hitting three doubles and three home runs to pace the attack, the Salukis scored a season high 11 runs while winning their fourth game this season that was decided in six or less innings.
* Wouldn't it be Nice? . . . If Erin Stremsterfer breaks the Missouri Valley Conference's single season strikeout record, this year will mark the second straight that a SIU pitcher has set a league milestone. Last season, Carisa Winters became the Valley's career strikeout queen as her 267 Ks added to a career total of 896 whiffs.
* Multiple Hit Personalities . . . Six different Salukis have scattered two or more hits in at least three games this season. Amanda Rexroat leads the pack smacking two or more hits in 10 games while Erin Stremsterfer and Marta Viefhaus follow with five. Julie Meier then has four while Haley Viefhaus and Jen Guenther close out the pack with three multi-hit games apiece.
* Stealin' the Show . . . In 41 games this season, SIU has been tough for opponents to handle on the basepaths as the Salukis have stolen 42 bases in 50 attempts. Spearheaded by Marta Viefhaus' perfect 16-of-16 effort and Erin Stremsterfer's 8-of-12 mark, the Salukis have thieved at least one bag in all but 15 games this season.
* SIU Pitching Dominating the Valley. . . Through April 15, Southern Illinois ranks atop the Missouri Valley Conference in team pitching with a 1.08 ERA. Posting a 28-12 record as a team, SIU pitchers have combined for 301 strikeouts in 279.0 innings pitched while picking up five saves and being touched for 43 earned runs.