Southern Illinois University
Northern Iowa
Softball Sweeps Northern Iowa, Wins Series 3-0
03/17/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 17, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Freshman Katie Jordan went 3-for-6 with three runs scored, a game-winning home run and one RBI to lead Southern Illinois (14-8, 3-0) to a pair of wins over Northern Iowa (14-9, 0-3) earlier today in Missouri Valley Conference action at IAW Fields. SIU, who won by scores of 3-2 (8) and 1-0, swept the three-game series.
In the first game, UNI took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Angela Higgins blasted a two-run home run off SIU pitcher Katie Kloess. Lindsay Wood, who had singled to begin the frame, also scored on the round-tripper which sailed over the left field wall.
SIU, however, answered in the bottom of the first when Tahira Saafir reached on a walk. After stealing second, Saafir then scored on a double by Adie Viefhaus to cut the Panther lead to 2-1.
UNI would hold its 2-1 advantage all the way to the bottom of the sixth before Viefhaus scored on a single by Karrie Fortman which knotted the game at 2-2. Prior to Fortman's hit, Viefhaus had singled and advanced to second when Jordan was hit by a pitch.
Deadlocked at 2-2, both teams headed into the eighth frame, marking the second game of the series that reached extra innings. It didn't take long for Jordan to halt what would appear to be another marathon game, however, as she delivered a clutch smash which barely made it inside the left field foul pole to give the Salukis a 3-2 win. Jordan's homer marked her second of the season.
Renee Mueller, who relieved starter Katie Kloess, pitched 3.1 innings to pick up the win as she moved to 4-3 on the season. Mueller struck out one batter and allowed two hits in 14 batters faced. Kloess, who was replaced in the bottom of the fifth inning, threw the game's first 4.2 innings, striking out three batters in 18 faced.
Malinda McClintock (8-4) suffered the loss for the Panthers after relieving Julie Phillips who pitched 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts. McClintock, who gave up the game-winning home run to Jordan, struck out one batter in 1.1 innings of work.
In the nightcap, ace pitchers Amy Harre and McClintock went at it again as each pitched four complete scoreless innings before the Salukis would break the drought in the bottom of the fifth.
Jordan singled to center to lead off the Saluki attack before a SAC bunt by Fortman moved her into scoring position. Jen Guenther then hit a fly ball to left field, but UNI shortstop Claudia Sandoval ran into left fielder Erin Strellner. The ball bounced off of Strellner's glove and landed safely on the ground during the collision as Fortman went to third on the play. Following the error, Haley Viefhaus grounded out to short marking the second out before Tara Glasco ripped a single to center which scored Fortman to give the Dawgs a 1-0 lead that would hold up until the end of the game.
Amy Harre pitched a one-hit shutout to improve to 7-4 on the season. In seven innings pitched, she struck out six, including two of UNI's last five batters.
McClintock took the fall on the mound dropping to 8-5 after throwing 6.0 innings with four strikeouts.
Offensively, Jordan, Maria Damico and Fortman each had two hits apiece to combine for six of the Salukis' seven hits.
SIU will return to action on Wednesday, March 20 when the Salukis head to Martin, Tenn., to face Tennessee-Martin in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
