Southern Illinois University
Evansville
Softball Breaks Down, Splits with Evansville
04/17/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 17, 2002
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois (24-13, 11-5) surrendered 12 hits in the second game to allow Evansville (25-21, 11-5) to post a 6-0 shutout and split a key Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader earlier today at IAW Fields. The Purple Aces avenged a 2-0 loss in game one and gained sole possession of second place in the Valley with their 2-1 series win.
Evansville pitcher Katie Markle held SIU to just two hits in the nightcap, marking the sixth time this season the Salukis have been pinned to two or less pokes.
SIU was forced to use its entire pitching staff in the loss which took its toll early. With Renee Mueller on the mound, the Purple Aces scored a pair of runs off four hits in the top of the second to take a 2-0 lead. Kate Walker blooped a two-RBI single to left center which enabled Joni Woods to score on the play as well, after she had singled safely on the previous play.
After being tagged for three more hits, Mueller was replaced by Katie Kloess with one out in the top of the fourth. Before the pitching change, however, Samantha Doner singled and went to third on a throwing error by Mueller. Doner then scored on a single by Emily Winters to make it 3-0, Evansville.
Kloess, who lasted 2.2 innings, was relieved by Amy Harre in the top of the seventh where the Purple Aces stormed to a final three-run rally.
Trish Wetzel, who had singled earlier in the frame, came home on another hit by Doner. Walker, who was also on base following a fielder's choice, and Doner, then scored easily thanks to a Jen Guenther error which capped off the 6-0 rout.
Markle pitched a no-hitter through three complete innings as she went the distance to improve to 14-9 on the season. In seven innings, she was touched for two hits, while striking out nine batters.
Mueller (6-4) suffered the loss for SIU giving up seven hits and fanning just one batter in 3.1 innings.
Doner, Winters, Bridget Broerman and Nicole Chatman each posted two hits apiece to lead the Aces offensively.
In game one, Harre and Casey Clutch duked it out to four scoreless innings before a two-run home run by Katie Jordan led the Salukis to a 2-0 win.
Jordan blasted her fourth home run of the season with two out in the bottom of the fifth. Adie Viefhaus, who had doubled earlier in the frame, also scored on the round-tripper.
Harre (13-8) went the distance en route to her third straight win on the mound. In seven innings, the native of Nashville, Ill., struck out five batters on a one-hitter.
Clutch (11-12) took the fall for the Purple Aces after throwing 6.0 innings with three strikeouts on a four-hitter.
SIU will host its final three games ever at IAW Fields this weekend when Creighton comes to town. The Salukis and Bluejays will begin their three-game set with a noon doubleheader on Saturday, April 20.
