Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball to Host Saluki Fall Invitational this Weekend
09/12/2001 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Sept. 12, 2001
Carbondale, Ill. - Coming off a 36-19, 17-9 (MVC) record last season, the Southern Illinois University softball team sets to kick off its fall preseason this weekend when the Dawgs host the Saluki Invitational at IAW Fields.
The tournament, which runs Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 15-16, will consist of an eight-team mix of all divisions. Teams participating in the two-day event are SIU, Tennessee-Martin, Southern Indiana, Rend Lake College, Southeast Missouri State, Southern Illinois Edwardsville, John A. Logan and St. Mary's of the Woods. The Salukis will face both Rend Lake College (9:30 a.m.) and Tennessee-Martin (1:30 p.m.) on Saturday, before concluding with Southern Indiana (11:30 a.m.) on Sunday.
Although the tournament will take place despite the national tragedy this week, head coach Kerri Blaylock believes that softball is indeed insignificant at a time like this.
"We talked about it (the terrorist attacks) at practice and how we should keep people in our thoughts and prayers during this time," said Blaylock. "Softball is something that is definitely insignificant, but we feel this weekend's tournament will help us move on and take our minds off what's been going on for awhile."
The Salukis enter the fall season with six freshmen on this year's roster. Highlighting the young, yet talented cast is Nashville, Ill., native Amy Harre (P) who will look to fill the void left by third-team All-American pitcher Erin Stremsterfer. Harre, a three-time, first-team all-SIRR Conference pick, compiled a 22-4 record with a stunning 0.12 ERA during her junior year at Nashville High School. Helping the Hornettes to their first ever trip to the Class A State Tournament, Harre also threw two perfect games and five no-hitters to go along with 281 strikeouts in 170 innings pitched during her prep career. Rounding out the freshman class will be Kelly Creek (IF, Belleville, Ill.), Maria Damico (OF, Gray Summit, Mo.), Katie Jordan (C/IF, Fenton, Mo.), Karly Kiser (UT, Omaha, Neb.) and Jami Weddle (IF, Garden Grove, Calif.).
"Our newcomers are not typical freshmen in regards to the fact that they have played high levels of select ball their whole lives," commented Blaylock. "We are young and we'll make mistakes, but it should be exciting too. I also think that our freshmen will be prepared for both this weekend and the season."
In addition to its incoming class, Southern Illinois returns nine letterwinners to this year's squad. Veterans Karrie Fortman (C, Oak Park, Ill.), Jenny Guenther (OF, Greendale, Wis.) and Elissa Hopkins (OF, Alto Pass, Ill.) are the lone three seniors returning. They will be joined by juniors Katie Kloess (P, Belleville, Ill.), Kendra Moore (OF, St. Louis, Mo.) and Tahira Saafir (IF, South Holland, Ill.) and sophomores Tara Glasco (OF, Johnston City, Ill.), Adie Viefhaus (UT, Pacific, Mo.) and Haley Viefhaus (IF, Pacific, Mo.). Also bringing experience to the upper class is junior transfer Renee Mueller (P, John A. Logan).
"This tournament will be a good mix of all divisions," added Blaylock. "It will be a good opener and a great way to start off the fall season."
Saluki Fall Invitational
September 15-16, 2001
Maroon Pool White Pool
SIU Carbondale Southeast Missouri
Tennessee-Martin SIU-Edwardsville
Southern Indiana John A. Logan
Rend Lake College St. Mary's of the Woods
Sept. 15
North Field South Field
9:30 a.m. - SIUC vs. Rend Lake Southeast Missouri vs. John A. Logan
11:30 a.m. - Southern Indiana vs. Rend Lake St. Mary's of the Woods vs. John A. Logan
1:30 p.m. - SIUC vs. Tennessee-Martin Southeast Missouri vs. SIU-Edwardsville
3:30 p.m. - Southern Indiana vs. Tennessee-Martin St. Mary's of the Woods vs. SIU-Edwardsville
Sept. 16
North Field South Field
9:30 a.m. - Rend Lake vs. Tennessee-Martin Southeast Missouri vs. St. Mary's of the Woods
11:30 a.m. - SIUC vs. Southern Indiana SIU-Edwardsville vs. John A. Logan
1:30 p.m. - #2 Maroon vs. #2 White #4 Maroon vs. #4 White
3:30 p.m. - #1 Maroon vs. #1 White #3 Maroon vs. #3 White
Tiebreaker
1. Head to Head
2. Runs Differential 3. Runs Allowed
