Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Practice Underway For 2004 Season
01/12/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Jan. 12, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - For the 2004 Saluki softball team, the season is right around the corner. With just 16 practices left before leaving for the season opener on February 6, head coach Kerri Blaylock is excited about preparing her team for another run at the NCAA Tournament.
"I couldn't sleep the night before our first practice (last Saturday) and I was so excited. I'm ready to go and so is the team. After two days we've had two great practices and they understand that they can't take things for granted. They're working hard and I think we'll be ready to open the season in Florida after our 16 days are up," Blaylock added.
With the warmth of Florida and the chance to defend their Triple Crown Invitational title waiting, Carbondale's weather has given Blaylock's team a head start over the 2003 NCAA Regional Finalist squad.
"The one thing that has been good is the weather. We'll be outside the next three days so we can do outfield, cutoffs and most things we need to do. We'll go inside to hit at the sportsblast, which is big enough for our pitchers to throw to our hitters. We haven't been able to do that recent years," said Blaylock.
In addition, the luxury of having all ten starters back and 12 players returning from the 2003 Sweet Sixteen team, makes getting things done at practice that much easier.
"What's great right now is that they all understand what's expected, how practice is run and what we need to accomplish. We don't have to spend a ton of time reviewing things because they're sharp and they know, which is a luxury, so we'll be ahead of the game for this season," Blaylock stated.
The Salukis are coming off a record-setting season, finishing 39-14 with an NCAA Tournament Regional final appearance and as one of the final 16 teams left in the NCAA Tournament. The 2003 Salukis won SIU's first three NCAA Tournament games and earned SIU and the MVC's first NCAA Tournament at-large bid. In addition, SIU finished the season with its first Top 25 national ranking, finishing #22 (NFCA) and #23 (ESPN.com/USA Softball) respectively in the nation in the final Top 25 polls.
SIU will open the 2004 spring season at the Triple Crown Invitational Feb. 6-8 in St. Augustine, Fla., a tournament SIU won with a 4-0 record in 2003.
