Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball to Host Indiana State
04/12/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 12, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - After a week's break, Southern Illinois (20-12, 7-4) returns to action this weekend when it hosts Indiana State (11-22, 2-11) in a three-game series at IAW Fields. The set, which begins a streak of eight consecutive home games for the Salukis, will kick off with a noon doubleheader tomorrow before concluding with a single game at noon on Sunday.
SIU snapped a three-game losing streak last week with a 3-2 win at Southwest Missouri State (4/6). Prior to its doubleheader with the Lady Bears, the Salukis had lost back-to-back games when holding a lead of two or more runs after five innings.
Standing at third place in the Valley, the Dawgs are led by freshman Katie Jordan who has batted .375 (6-for-16) over her last five outings. Jordan, who leads the Salukis in both batting average (.298) and home runs (3), has hit safely in five straight games.
Indiana State, on the other hand, is currently on a nine-game losing streak which includes a recent pair of losses to Big Ten foe Illinois on April 10. Standing in ninth place among league contendors, the Sycamores have been outscored 47-0 in their last five games. Spearheading the trees is junior catcher/infielder Katie Gilner who is batting .402 with three doubles, one triple and 18 RBI.
SIU is 38-16 all-time against Indiana State. The Salukis have won 12 of their last 14 meetings against the Sycamores, including two last season in Terre Haute.
Notes: Standing at 97-53 overall in just her third season at the helm of the Salukis, Kerri Blaylock needs three wins to become the quickest head coach in SIU softball history to reach 100 career victories. With a sweep of Indiana State this weekend, Blaylock will surpass Kay Brechtelsbauer who coached nearly six seasons (1977-82) before winning her 100th career game.
