Southern Illinois University
Northern Iowa
Stremsterfer Powers 3-1 Win over Northern Iowa
06/21/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
May 11, 2001
Omaha, Neb.--Senior Erin Stremsterfer went 2-for-2 with a two-RBI double to lead Southern Illinois University to a 3-1 win over Northern Iowa Saturday morning in the Missouri Valley Conference Softball Championship at Creighton Sports Complex.
Southern Illinois went to work early when a Haley Viefhaus single to left and a Amanda Rexroat walk gave the Salukis two baserunners with one away in the top of the first. For Viefhaus, her single snapped a 12-game hitless drought and marked the first hit in 38 consecutive at-bats. Following a Julie Meier strikeout, Stremsterfer then ripped a two-RBI double to center to give the Salukis a 2-0 lead.
After Stremsterfer retired six straight Northern Iowa batters, the Salukis scored another run in the top of the fourth when Netty Hallahan went yard for the fifth time this season. The lead off solo blast increased the SIU lead to 3-0.
Stremsterfer continued to baffle the UNI offense until the bottom of the seventh inning when the Panthers would threaten. Back-to-back singles by Stacey Sampson and Allison Taverner ignited the rally before a ground out to third by Kimbee Plata gave the Panthers runners at second and third with one out. Beth Scheetz then grounded to second which allowed Sampson to score, but that was all UNI could muster as Stremsterfer struck out Wendi Kragel to end the game at 3-1.
In addition to her solid performance at the plate, Stremsterfer also picked up the win on the mound to move to 28-9 on the year. In seven innings pitched, she struck out seven batters while allowing four hits.
