Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
Wichita St
Softball Splits with Wichita State, Ends 2002 Regular Season
05/04/2002 | 12:00:00 | Softball
May 4, 2002
Wichita, Kan. - Junior left-handed pitcher Renee Mueller threw a no-hitter with four strikeouts to lead Southern Illinois (31-15, 17-7) to a 1-0 win over Wichita State (20-34, 12-14) earlier today as the Salukis split a doubleheader at Wilkins Stadium. The Shockers, who dropped the series 2-1, regrouped to win the nightcap, 6-5.
Mueller's complete game no-hitter marked both the Salukis' first of the season and first since Erin Stremsterfer (1998-01) no-hit New Mexico State in a 1-0 eight-inning win on February 24, 2001.
A native of Johnston City, Ill., Mueller retired 21-of-23 Wichita State batters, including the game's last nine straight. Stephanie Scott, who reached on two occasions thanks to a walk and an error by shortstop Adie Viefhaus, was the only Shocker to get on base for the entire game.
Mueller's stellar pitching and SIU's solid defense told the story even though the Salukis would have their offensive moments.
Kelly Creek and Jen Guenther singled consecutively in the bottom of the second, but the Dawgs came away empty. Two innings later, Guenther belted a one-out double to center which sparked another rally in the fourth. However, on the next play, Maria Damico lined into a double play to end the threat.
With one out in the fifth, everything just fell into place for the Salukis, despite not having a hit to show for it.
Tahira Saafir drew a one-out walk and went to second on a Kendra Moore grounder to short. A. Viefhaus then hit a soft pop-fly to third baseman Carla Torres, but Torres dropped the ball and Saafir scored from second for the 1-0 win.
Mueller, who picked up her second straight win on the mound, moved to 8-4 on the year.
Lindsay Craig (13-21) suffered her second straight loss of the series for the Shockers. In six innings, Craig was touched for three hits, while striking out three as well.
Offensively, Guenther went 2-for-3 with a double to pace the Dawgs.
In game two, Wichita State scored three runs off five hits to take an early three-run lead in the bottom of the second.
Audrey Walters singled and advanced to second on a Jody Lupo grounder to third. Robin Sando then walked before April Arata hit a deep fly ball to center. Saluki centerfielder Damico, however, fell down on the play and Arata's poke turned into a two-RBI double.
Another single, this time by Tina Lewis, brought home Arata to cap off the 3-0 rout.
Wichita State added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth when a key error by A. Viefhaus and a Walters two-RBI single plated three more runs. Lewis, Scott and Arata each scored as the Shockers extended their lead to 6-0.
SIU slowly started to make its comeback in the top of the fifth when a Saafir single scored Moore (pinch ran following a Weddle walk) to cut the Shocker lead to 6-1.
Two innings later in their final at-bat, the Salukis came to life. Weddle led off with a solo home run and Damico followed with a double. Karrie Fortman singled and was replaced by pinch runner Elissa Hopkins. A. Viefhaus then stepped in and singled as well, and Hopkins scored to narrow the WSU margin to 6-4.
With two out, Katie Jordan singled safely to score Saafir, but was called out after attempting to go to second. Jordan's out was all the Shockers would need to hold on to the 6-5 thriller.
Katie Kloess (5-3) suffered the loss after throwing just 1.2 innings. Kloess was touched for three earned runs and two hits, while striking out one.
Ashley Patrick picked up the win for the Shockers after going the distance with three strikeouts.
SIU, who ended its 2002 regular season, will wait and see where it will be seeded for this year's MVC Tournament on May 9-11 in Normal, Ill.
