Southern Illinois University
25-6, 9-3
Evansville
18-15, 6-7
Softball Shuts Out Evansville 8-0 In Five Innings
04/10/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 10, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Jenny Doehring hit a three-run home run, Adie Viefhaus belted her first career homer and Amy Harre allowed just three hits as Southern Illinois (25-6, 9-3 MVC) easily beat Evansville (18-15, 6-7 MVC) 8-0 in five-innings on Thursday at Charlotte West Stadium - Rochman Field. The win gives SIU a 5-0 record in midweek games.
"I told the team that this is the most complete game we've played all year. We pitched well, hit well and played good defense when they put the ball in play. Evansville is not that bad, they're a good team, but we just came out to play today. I'm really pleased with the win and the team, but I told them that after we have a big win we can't have any letdowns," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
SIU scored in all four at bats on Thursday, beginning with four tallies in the first inning. Samantha Carter reached on an error to open the game, moved to second on a sacrifice, stole third base and scored on Kelly Creek's RBI single. After an out on Katie Louis' fielder choice, Doehring hit her third home run to centerfield with two outs for a 4-0 Saluki lead.
Creek pulled off more two-out magic in the second inning with a bases loaded single to drive in Carter and Lindsey Bonnell for a 6-0 lead. Adie Viefhaus added her first career home run over a fence at any level in the third inning and Doehring singled with two outs to drive in Bonnell in the fourth for an 8-0 lead and the final margin.
"It's my first real home run of my life. It was so fun and I didn't think it would go over and then coach Blaylock made me laugh so hard rounding second because she called the homer before the game. I hope she says I'll homer before every game," said Viefhaus.
"I prophesized that Adie would hit her first home run today and I told her to look for something to drive. Kelly Creek, Katie Jordan and Jenny Doehring all hit well. Everyone did the little things ... we executed on bunts and moved runners and had two out hits that scored runs," added Blaylock.
"Amy (Harre) has pitched very well in these five inning games as well as the tight games like the 2-1 win against Nebraska. She has really picked it up since the Bradley series and taken her game up a notch. I just want her to sustain her level of play."
The eight runs were more than enough for Harre, who has won her last three starts (12-1, 8-0, 8-0) in five innings due to the offensive outbursts, the eight-run rule and no earned runs allowed. Harre (15-4) struck out six and didn't walk a batter to win her 15th game overall and is 8-2 in MVC play.
"Its amazing to know as a pitcher that your offense can produce runs like today. Even in a tight game I know our offense can step up big and score runs which relieves some of the pressure off the pitcher and the defense. You don't want the opponent to score, but if they do, we have such a tough team that wants to battle back and win so bad. You can never give up on this team, we can also score in the late innings when we're losing. SMS is a good team and we have to play like we did today and we'll have a chance to win," Harre stated.
The Salukis have outscored their opponents 33-4 in the last five games, winning four of five games. Today's offensive outburst gives SIU seven multi-home run games this season. The Salukis hit three homers once (4/5 vs Drake) and two home runs six times, including today's game. Southern scored six of its eight runs with two outs.
The third place Salukis will host fourth place SMS in a crucial three game weekend series at Charlotte West Stadium - Rochman Field beginning with a Saturday doubleheader at 12 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Amy Harre (15-4)
L: Clutch (8-7)
Base Running:
CS: Winters 1
Batting:
3B: Maria Damico 1
HR: Jenny Doehring 1 ; Adie Viefhaus 1
RBI: Kelly Creek 3 ; Jenny Doehring 4 ; Adie Viefhaus 1
SH: Lindsey Bonnell 1 ; Katie Jordan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Samantha Carter 2 ; Lindsey Bonnell 2 ; Christina Andrews 1 ; Katie Louis 1 ; Jenny Doehring 1 ; Adie Viefhaus 1
SB: Samantha Carter 1
