Southern Illinois University
Florida State
Softball Falls to No. 22 Florida State, 2-1
03/11/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
The FSU win marked its fifth all-time over SIU as the Seminoles were the third top-25 team to have beaten the Salukis this season.
FSU took a one-run lead (1-0) in the bottom of the second where Brandi Stuart led off with a walk. Kimmy Carter, daughter of 18-year baseball veteran and All-Star catcher Gary Carter, followed with a SAC-bunt which moved Stuart to second. Stuart then stole third, but SIU catcher Karrie Fortman's throw in attempt to peg Stuart, sailed into left field as no one was covering the bag. Third baseman Haley Viefhaus was playing in anticipating a bunt, and as a result, left the base uncovered.
FSU added to its lead in the bottom of the third when a two-base error by Adie Viefhaus allowed Becky Brock to score, as the Seminoles took a 2-0 lead. Brock led off the `Noles' at-bat with a single and advanced to second on a base hit by Shundra Colzie before scoring from second.
The Salukis cut into the Seminole lead in the top of the fifth when Fortman reached on an error by third baseman Brock. A fielder's choice by Jen Guenther advanced Fortman to second, who would then move to third on a single by Kendra Moore. With one away after Guenther was thrown out at second from shallow center on Moore's hit, A. Viefhaus stepped in and singled Fortman home.
Still with one out, Tahira Saafir hit into a fielder's choice which sent Moore to third, but she was called out on a controversial play that appeared as if Brock had bobbled the ball when Moore hit the bag. Following the close play, SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock challenged, but the call stood marking the Salukis' second out before a Maria Damico strikeout ended the Dawgs' threat.
Following the Saluki rally, third-team All-American and 2001 ACC Pitcher of the Year Leslie Malerich beared down and calmly struck out three of SIU's last six batters to seal the 2-1 win.
Malerich (13-7) went the distance for the `Noles striking out nine batters en route to her 13th win of the season.
Freshman Amy Harre, who held FSU to just two hits on the night, pitched 6.0 innings with three strikeouts as she fell to 5-4 on the year.
Offensively, A. Viefhaus, Kelly Creek, H. Viefhaus and Moore combined for the Salukis' four hits.
SIU will return to action on Tuesday, March 12 when it faces Georgia State in a single game at 5 p.m. Both head coaches agreed to move what was originally a doubleheader, to one game earlier today.
