Southern Illinois University
Saint Louis
Softball Sweeps Saint Louis Behind Guenther's Hot Bat
03/27/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 27, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Senior first baseman Jen Guenther went 3-for-6 with three doubles and three RBI to lead Southern Illinois (18-8) to a 2-0, 3-0 sweep of Saint Louis (12-13) earlier today in a doubleheader at IAW Fields.
The two victories extended SIU's win streak to seven games as the Salukis have now beaten SLU on 21 consecutive occasions since last losing to the Billikens on April 22, 1992. SIU is a stunning 29-1 all-time against SLU.
Strong hitting, solid pitching and good defense set the tone early for SIU who scored in the bottom of the third inning when a double by Guenther brought home Adie Viefhaus who had singled and advanced to second on a walk by Katie Jordan.
Up 1-0, the Salukis rallied again in the fifth when Jordan led off with a double to right field. Kelly Creek then SAC-bunted Jordan to second before another double by Guenther found the gap in right center. Jordan scored on the play to cap off the Dawgs' 2-0 win.
Renee Mueller (5-3) threw a three-hitter through five innings en route to her fifth win of the season. Mueller, who also struck out five batters, was relieved by Amy Harre in the sixth who struck out three batters in the final two innings before earning her eighth save of the season.
SIU, who combined for eight hits, scattered at least one hit in each of its six innings highlighted by Jordan and Guenther's two pokes apiece.
In the nightcap, SIU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when a one-out single by Tahira Saafir led off the frame. Saafir then stole second to get into scoring position. On the next play, she took third and then headed home when catcher Kalee Reichert's throw to third sailed into left field.
The Salukis hung onto their one-run advantage all the way to the bottom of the sixth before two more insurance runs sealed the win for good.
Maria Damico singled and stole second to lead off the Saluki sixth. Katie Kloess, who replaced Saafir after she had suffered an undisclosed injury, reached on an error by pitcher Nicole Bohnenstiel which would enable Damico to score.
Ahead by a pair of runs, a single by Adie Viefhaus then moved Kloess to second who would score easily on Guenther's third double of the twin bill which completed the 3-0 shutout.
SIU's defense did not allow one Billiken runner to get past second base for the entire doubleheader as Harre pitched the distance moving to 9-4 on the year. Harre, retired SLU's first nine batters in order before finishing with six strikeouts on a two-hitter. Bohnenstiehl took the fall dropping to 5-8.
SIU remains at home for three more games this weekend when it hosts Illinois State on Saturday-Sunday, March 30-31. The three-game set will begin with a noon doubleheader on Saturday before concluding with a single game at 1 p.m., on Sunday. Both the Salukis and Redbirds are currently tied for first in the Valley with perfect 5-0 league marks.
