Southern Illinois University
Se Missouri St
Softball Sweeps Southeast Missouri State in Home Opener
03/05/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 5, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Elissa Hopkins went 2-for-4 with a game-winning single, a double and three RBI to lead Southern Illinois (8-4) to a two-game sweep over Southeast Missouri State (0-4) earlier this afternoon at IAW Fields. The Salukis won their home opening doubleheader by scores of 1-0 and 7-1.
Both teams dueled to six and a half scoreless innings in game one before Hopkins roped a single to center to score Kendra Moore with one away in the bottom of the seventh.
Prior to Hopkins' hit, Moore and Katie Jordan had both walked and Tahira Saafir was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The game-winner marked the second time this season Hopkins has lifted the Dawgs to a seventh-inning win.
Katie Kloess pitched the first four innings, while striking out two batters before Amy Harre entered in relief to strike out six batters over three innings to get the win. Harre is now 3-2 on the season.
While solid pitching and defense prevailed in game one, SIU took control offensively in the nightcap, and as a result, had a pair of big rallies which ignited its 7-1 rout.
The Salukis took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on RBI hits from the Viefhaus twins. Freshman Maria Damico led off the rally with an infield single, stole second and advanced to third on a SAC-bunt by Saafir.
With one away, Jordan followed up with a walk before Haley Viefhaus singled to right center to plate Damico. Adie Viefhaus, then reached on a fielder's choice which allowed Jordan to score, securing the Dawgs' early lead.
Southeast Missouri answered quickly in the top of the third with a solo home run by Alicia Loucks which narrowed the Saluki margin to 2-1. Loucks', who homered in her first collegiate at-bat, sent one deep over the left field wall.
In the bottom of the fifth, things just fell apart for the Otahkians as a pair of errors enabled the Salukis to score five runs, three of which were unearned.
With one out and runners on first and second, Hopkins ripped a double that found nothing but grass in right center to score both Damico and Saafir. Katie Kloess, who pinch ran for Hopkins after she was shaken up on a stolen base, was then brought home on an error by Kristen King.
Another error by second baseman Loucks put more runners on base before a fielder's choice by Jen Guenther and a single by Moore drove home the Dawgs' final two runs of the game.
Renee Mueller and Harre combined for a one-hitter as Mueller was awarded the win to even up at 2-2 on the season. Mueller threw four innings and struck out four batters before Harre took over in the fifth to post her fifth save.
SEMO's entire pitching staff, which played in both games of the twin bill, struggled against the Salukis as the trio combined for a total of 13 walks. Kristen King, however, suffered the loss in game one, while Kelly Birk fell in game two.
SIU will return to action this weekend when it begins its spring break trip at the Florida State Seminole Invitational on March 8-10. Following the three-day event, the Dawgs will then take on Florida State in a T.V. (Sunshine Network) game on March 11 (5 p.m.) before concluding with a doubleheader at Georgia State on March 12 (5 p.m.).
Notes: Starting catcher Karrie Fortman broke her right thumb, but is scheduled to play in this weekend's Florida State tournament. Fortman did not play against Southeast Missouri State. Elissa Hopkins may have a dislocated pinky finger after she jammed her hand into third base on a stolen base attempt. Kelly Creek may also see limited action due to her feet problems which bothered her throughout the fall season.
