Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Ranked #29 In NFCA National Poll
02/19/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 19, 2003
Columbia, Mo. - The Southern Illinois University softball team is ranked #29 in today's National Fastpitch Coaching Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll after picking up 15 votes. The ranking is the first since the late 1990s, when SIU was ranked in the thirties in the NFCA poll.
"This is huge for the team and the program. It means people are starting to recognize us and it's difficult to get in the poll as a mid-major program. We haven't been in the poll since the late 90s," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
"We've never been this high. It's a reflection of the hard work this team has done and their accomplishments. The players deserve this, they're out there working and playing hard everyday. It's good exposure for SIU and shows us that our four recruiting classes have really made a difference."
SIU is 8-1 after upsetting then #22 Alabama at the Bama Bash last weekend before falling 3-1 in an 11-inning game in the championship. Alabama moved up from #22 to #17 in this week's poll after splitting with the Salukis. SIU was 4-1 last week.
The Salukis opened the season 4-0 with a championship at the Triple Crown Invitational in St. Augustine, Fla. two weeks ago.
Next weekend SIU will open Charlotte West Stadium on Friday, Feb. 28 against Syracuse at 3 p.m. followed by the Kay Brechtelsbauer Southern Classic on March 1-2, which will feature the new stadium dedication at 12 p.m. on March 1.
