Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Improves To #24 In NFCA Top 25 Poll
05/06/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
May 6, 2003
Carbondale, Ill. - Southern Illinois University improved its highest ranking in school history one spot to #24 in the National Fastpitch Coaching Association (NFCA) Top 25 poll released on Tuesday. The Salukis received 34 votes, up from 21 last week. SIU earned its first top 25 ranking in SIU history last week at #25.
"I'm glad we moved up to #24. That's awesome. Every milestone we meet is great for the kids and the program," said Kerri Blaylock, fourth-year SIU head coach.
The Salukis moved up in the poll even though SIU split with Wichita State last weekend, losing 1-0 despite Amy Harre's one-hitter and winning 3-1 in game two of the doubleheader to clinch second place in the MVC standings.
The Salukis dropped a spot to #30 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll with 2 votes. SIU's run of 12 weeks in the NFCA poll is the longest run in a national poll in school history. The first 2003 ranking 12 weeks ago was SIU's first since the late 1990s, when the Salukis were ranked in the thirties in the NFCA poll.
Southern opens the 2003 MVC Tournament with a bye as the #2 seed on Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Cooper Stadium at the University of Evansville. SIU faces the winner of #3 Wichita State and #6 SMS.
