Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball To Compete At Kirkwood Fall Tournament This Weekend
09/18/2003 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Sept. 18, 2003
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University's softball team will attempt to keep its fall record (5-0) perfect when the Salukis travel to Kirkwood, Missouri for the Kirkwood Athletic Association 1st Annual Reverse College Exposure Tournament on Saturday and Sunday. Sixteen teams comprised of Division I, II, III and junior college squads will participate in the two-day tournament at the Kirkwood Athletic Association Fields.
"We're excited about going to the St. Louis area this weekend so our kids can play in front of their home fans that may not get to see them that often. We feel like we'll face some really good competition in SEMO and some good Division II teams. We hope to take it up another notch and see what we can do," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
Despite a 5-0 record at the Saluki Invitational last weekend, Blaylock is still looking for more from her team.
"I'm looking for consistency and to stay at the level we played at last weekend. We played at a really high level and came to play at our tournament and it showed. I told them they only have three weekends in the fall to prove something and they need to continue to play well. We want to get all the starters some games, throw all four pitchers and get the new people some playing time."
The SIU pitching staff didn't allow a run and had five shutouts with a combined no-hitter, two one-hitters, a two-hitter and a three-hitter in five games, while the offense racked up 61 hits and scored 37 runs, led by Lindsey Bonnell's .800 average (16-for-20) with nine RBI.
"I was also really pleased last weekend with people like Samantha Carter (.500 BA, 5-for-10) and Lauren Roney (.545 BA, 6-for-11), who had really good averages after the tournament and hope will continue to play well. We're happy with the team and ready to get after it again this weekend."
SIU will face Missouri-St. Louis (Div. II) at 9:00 a.m., Meramac (Mo.) Community College at 11:00 a.m. and Central Missouri State (Div. II) at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and plays Truman (Mo.) State (Div. II) at 11:00 a.m. and Southeast Missouri State at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. The Salukis will play all their games on Field 1.
