Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Ranked #26 In Both National Polls
04/15/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 15, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University matched its highest national ranking in softball at #26 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll with 15 votes. SIU improved five spots from last week's ranking, matching the mark received last week in the National Fastpitch Coaching Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll.
Despite a 6-0 record last week, the Salukis remained #26 in the NFCA Top 25 poll for the second consecutive week with 20 votes. The Salukis sit on the verge of their first top 25 ranking for the second consecutive week.
"It's nice to be recognized in both polls at #26, just outside the Top 25. I just hope we keep playing well and maybe we'll get the votes and recognition to break into the Top 25," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
The Salukis swept Tennessee-Martin 4-1 & 8-0 on Tuesday, shut out Evansville 8-0 in five innings on Wednesday and swept a three game series from SMS over the weekend.
SIU's run of nine weeks in the NFCA poll is the longest run in a national poll in school history. The first 2003 ranking nine weeks ago was the first since the late 1990s, when SIU was ranked in the thirties in the NFCA poll.
