Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball to Host Illinois State in First Place Showdown
03/29/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 29, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois (18-8, 5-0) and Illinois State (11-10, 5-0), who are currently tied for first in the Valley, will square off this weekend in a key conference series at IAW Fields. The three-game set will begin with a noon doubleheader tomorrow before concluding with a single game at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
This weekend's series between the Salukis and Redbirds figures to be a good one as it features the Valley's second-best hitting (ISU) squad going up against the league's (SIU) top pitching unit.
In 21 games played, Illinois State is batting .273 with four of its starters hitting .268 or better. Along with their solid average, the Redbirds have also posted 69 runs, 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 61 RBI.
Meanwhile, SIU's pitching has been consistent in dominating the Valley all season long. Boasting a stellar 0.75 ERA, the Saluki staff has combined for 11 shutouts, 19 earned runs and 128 strikeouts in 178.1 innings.
At the plate, SIU is led by senior Elissa Hopkins who was cleared to play this weekend after having sat out nearly a month due to a spiral fracture in her left pinky. Hopkins is batting .308 on the year.
Matching Hopkins offensively for ISU is senior Cutie Taylor (OF)who was named 2001 First-Team All-MVC. Taylor, who leads the talented Redbird offense with a .373 average, has smacked 25 hits, scored 15 runs, belted six homers and posted 13 RBI.
On the mound, the Salukis lost pitching sensation Erin Stremsterfer from a year ago, but have filled the gap with freshman Amy Harre who leads the Valley with eight saves. Harre who is 9-4 this season, has struck out 89 batters in 96 innings pitched en route to a 0.15 ERA.
Like SIU, the Redbirds also lost their ace hurler (Nicole Kurth) from a year ago. Following Kurth's departure, junior Audra Rast has stepped in and thrown her way to a 8-2 record this season. In 13 appearances, Rast has posted four shutouts, while striking out 71 batters in 74 innings of work.
SIU, who is 7-0 at home this season, is currently on a seven-game win streak and has posted shutouts in four of its last five outings. ISU, on the other hand, recently had a six-game winning streak snapped at the hands of Big Ten foe Iowa.
Pre-Game Notes: SIU starting second baseman Tahira Saafir suffered a broken thumb injury in Wednesday's game against Saint Louis. Saafir, who sustained her injury on a stolen base, however, will play this weekend against Illinois State. Southern Illinois trails Illinois State by an overall count of 51-35. The Salukis, who took one of the three games from ISU last season, were eliminated by the 'Birds in the league's postseason tournament as well.
