Softball Sweeps Alabama-Birmingham With 5-3 Comeback Win

Tuesday, March 11

Birmingham, Ala.

5:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

11-3

UAB

13-9

Southern Illinois

Alabama-Birmingham

03/12/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball

Box Score

March 12, 2003

Final Stats

Birmingham, Ala. - Kelly Creek homered twice and drove in four runs to lead Southern Illinois University (11-3) to a 5-3 comeback win and a doubleheader sweep over the University of Alabama-Birmingham (13-9) on Tuesday.

"We needed these two wins. They are a very good team who has beaten #10 Oklahoma this year. It was huge to come from behind in both games. Our offense really clicked today and helped out our pitching staff. Come from behind wins really help a team build confidence," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.

"We haven't practiced in two days and our kids came out and played well against a good team. We beat them on their home field and we're on the tail end of a seven-day road trip. They did a really good job."

Down 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning, Creek hit an opposite field home run to rightfield to cut the lead to 2-1. UAB responded with a run in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead.

SIU exploded with four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jenny Doehring drove in Samantha Carter with a double and Creek hit a three run homer to leftfield three batters later for a 5-3 lead the Salukis would never relinquish.

"I would hate to pitch to Kelly Creek right now. She's hitting to all fields and isn't one dimensional. She did a great job picking us up today," added Blaylock.

After SIU fell behind 3-1, Renee Mueller (5-1) came in and pitched 2.1 innings of scoreless relief to pick up her second win of the day. Mueller allowed three hits in her relief appearance without a walk.

Amy Harre, the game's starter, pitched the final 2.1 innings in relief of Mueller to earn the save after pitching the opening 2.1 innings. Harre struck out two and walked 1 while allowing eight hits to earn her first save of the year.

Creek led the Salukis with her 2-for-4, two home run, four RBI, two-run performance. Katie Louis (1-for-2) and Doehring (1-for-4, RBI, run) helped the Salukis pick up the sweep.

SIU opens Missouri Valley Conference play and Charlotte West Stadium-Rochman Field with a weekend series against Bradley on Saturday with a noon doubleheader.