SIU Enters Final Week Of Regular Season
06/21/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
May 1, 2001
The Southern Illinois University Carbondale softball team heads into its final week of regular season play tomorrow when the Salukis head to Cape Girardeau, Mo., to face the University of Mississippi in a single game at 5 p.m.
SIU, who is coming off an emotional weekend which saw the Salukis come away with a 2-1 series win over Bradley while bidding farewell to six seniors, enters tomorrow's matchup with an overall record of 34-15 which includes a 16-8 mark against non-league opponents.
Senior Erin Stremster continues her assault on the MVC's Pitcher of the Year award as her 2-1 record this past weekend boosted her win-loss total to 26-7 this season. In 21.2 innings pitched, she struck out 31 batters while being touched for 11 hits and one earned run. Her 31 strikeouts moved her season total to 316 while lifting her career mark to 709 which is second to Carisa Winters' 896 (1997-00).
Meanwhile, Mississippi has lost its last 22 of 25 games and heads into tomorrow's matchup with an overall record of 18-39. Jennifer Poore leads the Rebels batting .309 with 46 hits, nine doubles, one triple and one home run. She is joined by Jessica Hamilton who follows with a .263 batting average.
Following its non-league duel with the Rebels, SIU will then travel Omaha, Neb., where Creighton University awaits to entertain the Salukis in both teams' conference finale this weekend. The three-game set will kick off with a doubleheader on Friday at 5 p.m., before concluding with a morning bout at 11 a.m., on Saturday.