Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis Named Triple Crown Invitational Champions
02/09/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 9, 2003
St. Augustine, Fla. - Southern Illinois University was named Triple Crown Invitational champions over Kansas on Sunday after all games were cancelled due to poor weather. The Salukis were chosen by having a better run differential over the Jayhawks. SIU and Kansas were the only unbeaten teams (4-0) left when the semifinals were scheduled to begin Sunday morning. The Salukis were slated to play Tennessee and Kansas was about to play Evansville when the coaches called the tournament. The Triple Crown Invitational officials then awarded the tournament title.
"It's great. We went 4-0 so at this point in the tournament I think the kids deserved it. They did a great job, everyone contributed to this and they all played outstanding. I'm tickled to death for the kids and it's a great tournament victory for us. I wish we would have had the chance to play Tennessee and eventually Kansas or Evansville from the other bracket but the weather wouldn't allow it. We didn't want to take a chance on getting any kids hurt so early in the season," Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach said.
The Salukis placed four athletes on the 2003 Triple Crown Invitational All-Tournament Team. Junior catcher Adie Viefhaus (.571 BA, 2 RBI), freshman infielder Katie Louis (.308 BA, HR, 3 RBI) and pitchers Amy Harre (2-0, No-hitter, 0.00 ERA, 11 K, 2 Complete Game Shutouts, 4 Hits, .089 Opponents BA) and Renee Mueller (2-0, 0.60 ERA, 1 Earned Run, 6 Hits, .150 Opponents BA) picked up the all-tournament honors.
SIU continues the 2003 season at the Bama Bash Feb. 14-16 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama next weekend.
