Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Holds High Expectations For The 2004 Season
01/30/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Jan. 30, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Whether you're head coach Kerri Blaylock or a Southern Illinois University softball fan, you can't be blamed for having high expectations for the 2004 Saluki softball team, ranked #24 in the NFCA Top 25 Preseason poll. The expectations may be the highest ever at SIU, with the return of all ten starters, including pitching ace Amy Harre, one of the top pitchers in the Missouri Valley Conference and the nation.
The recent #24 ranking and success of 2003 will provide a little motivation for SIU's 2004 opponents, but Blaylock feels that the return of all her starters will help her team deal with having a bullseye on their back.
"I told the team the target will be on our back and they know that. We're trying to use that as a positive and play with confidence and not like we have to prove something. We have a veteran team, we know what we need to take care of and if you don't take anything for granted, and you work hard, things will turn out ok," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU's head coach.
The Salukis will have a schedule featuring seven NCAA Tournament teams in 2004 and could face even NCAA opponents at the two season-opening tournaments. SIU opens with the Triple Crown Invitational in Florida Feb. 6-8, which SIU won with a 4-0 record in 2003. A trip to Mississippi's Old Rebel Classic on Feb. 14-15 follows before the Salukis host the Kay Brechtelsbauer Southern Classic on Feb. 28-29. The Salukis will make their first trip to Hawaii to play in the Malihini Tournament on Mar. 4-7. Hawaii, the host, and Long Beach State were both NCAA Tournament teams in the field. SIU comes home to host the first Saluki Round Robin on Mar. 13-14, featuring DePaul and Tennessee Tech, 2003 NCAA Tournament teams, in addition to Illinois State and Kansas. A tough MVC slate follows the five tournaments, which should prepare the Salukis for the 2004 season.
"I think the schedule is very strong. We start out in Florida (Triple Crown Invitational) and there will be good programs like Boston College and Stetson and we have a chance to play Indiana. Then we go to the Ole Miss tournament and will face Tulsa, one of the surprises in the Midwest and Mississippi, an SEC school. Our first tournament will be tough (IU, INSU, Harvard) and then we go to Hawaii for their tournament, which includes NCAA teams Long Beach State, Hawaii and us plus the College of Charleston, which won over 40 games. Our preseason is tough again. We finish up at home with a fantastic tournament with DePaul (#9 in 2003, #12 currently), Kansas, Tennessee Tech and Illinois State. DePaul was top ten last year and Kansas is a good Big 12 program," said Blaylock.
The head coach of the 2002 and 2003 MVC Staff-of-the-Year returns all ten starters from a team that finished with a 39-14 mark and SIU's first NCAA Tournament wins. The Salukis went 3-2 at the NCAA Region VIII Tournament, reaching the first regional final in school history, and ending the most successful postseason at SIU as one of the final 16 teams playing in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
The 2003 team earned SIU's first Top 25 rankings ever, finishing #22 (NFCA) and #23 (ESPN.com/USA Softball) in the final polls. The Salukis also went 18-6, finishing second in the MVC, SIU's best finish since its 1991 Gateway title.
The success of the team and experience of the 12 returners has Blaylock, and many others, rightfully excited about the possibilities of the 2004 season.
"We have veterans everywhere and experience, which is a strength, in addition to a good group of newcomers. I'm also very excited about the pitching staff. We have a lot of strengths on this team. We can keep ourselves in ball games this year plus we have depth and relief in our pitching," said an ecstatic Blaylock.
In addition to pitching ace Harre, the infield of Katie Louis (1B), Samantha Carter (2B), Jenny Doehring (SS) and Haley Viefhaus (3B) returns with the outfield of Lindsey Bonnell (RF), Maria Damico (CF) and Katie Jordan (LF). Kelly Creek also returns as the designated player to complete the lineup. The Salukis also return an 11th starter in Lauren Roney, who started 26 games, including 10 at catcher, 15 at second base and one as a designated player. Christina Andrews, a utility outfielder who played an important baserunning role, also returns.
Blaylock has added senior transfer Alison Thompson (a former all-Big South pitcher and 2002 Big South Tournament MVP from Liberty University) and freshmen Amanda Clifton (C/INF), Ashley Hamby (P/INF), Alex Pepin (OF) and Cassidy Scoggins (P/OF). The newcomers will add experience and depth to a veteran squad at every position.
The Salukis led the Missouri Valley with a .969 fielding percentage, which ranked 26th in the country. On offense, SIU shattered the school record of 37 home runs, hitting 43 home runs in 53 games. The mark was third in the Valley and 23rd in the country at .81 home runs per game. Despite the improved offense, Blaylock expects pitching to be the difference.
Pitching With Blaylock's staff winning the Valley ERA title for the seventh straight year with a 1.30 ERA (10th in the nation), pitching could once again be the strength of SIU's team.
Harre, a junior, led the MVC with a 1.19 ERA, which ranked 28th nationally. She was named to the NCAA Region VIII All-Tournament Team after winning two NCAA Tournament games. The first-team all-MVC and Great Lakes Region selection also moved into first place in career ERA (1.04) at SIU in 2003, threw her first two career no-hitters, set an SIU record with 12 shutouts and led the team and MVC with a career-high 22 wins, which ranked 31st in the nation. Her four saves led SIU, ranked second in the MVC and 17th nationally. In addition to her 2003 numbers, Harre is ranked in the top five in 14 single season or career SIU marks.
"What I saw in the fall from Amy was her maturity. That's the key word we've talked about and I can see her maturing and understanding what we're trying to accomplish. We're trying to learn a couple new wrinkles, which is important, so I expect her to have a tremendous year," said Blaylock.
Thompson, a senior who faced #1 UCLA in the NCAA Tournament two years ago, has been a pleasant surprise after transferring last fall. She became one of the top pitchers in Liberty history in just three years. Thompson is the career strikeout leader (446) and ranks in the top five in every category at her former school.
"Alison was our gift that walked on our doorstep. She bided her time this fall and got inserted in relief situations and did a heck of a job. She's mature and a good person plus she's competitive and has experience, so the pitching staff will be pretty solid," Blaylock added.
Freshmen Hamby and Scoggins will also add depth and battle for playing time on the mound and in the field. Both pitched and played well in the fall in their first collegiate experiences and will play multiple positions.
"Scoggins had a big game this fall against DePaul (#9 in 2003) where she threw very, very well. Hamby started out the fall well and they are both strong. They both can move the ball very well and are complete players. They can hit, run and field and we're looking for them to be the future of SIU softball as far as our pitching goes," added Blaylock.
Catching
Senior Adie Viefhaus returns to lead the catchers after a career year (.279 BA, .983 fielding percentage) in 2003 in her second year behind the plate. Viefhaus started 43 games at catcher and will be backed up by the freshman, Amanda Clifton, and the sophomore, Lauren Roney. Roney started 10 games behind the plate, and along with Clifton, will give Viefhaus a rest when needed.
"Behind the plate we're blessed again. We've got three kids that will see time. Adie Viefhaus is our returning starting catcher. She's coming off a great season. She's very knowledgeable and understands the system. We also have Amanda Clifton, who will be a very good and knowledgeable freshman catcher. She knows the game and has grown up with her father being a baseball coach. She handles pitches well and has a good arm. Lauren Roney will continue to do everything, including some catching, second base and the outfield," Blaylock stated.
Infield
The infield, which was one of the best in the MVC and the nation, returns intact. Senior Haley Viefhaus, named to the NCAA Region VIII All-Tournament Team, the MVC All-Tournament Team and second-team all-MVC, returns to play the hot corner for the third straight year. Viefhaus is coming off a career year (.267 BA, 10 doubles) and has great hands at third base. Clifton will also play some third base in spots to give Viefhaus a rest and get in the on occasion.
Doehring, a senior, returns at shortstop after starting all 53 games last year. She also earned a spot on the NCAA Region VIII All-Tournament Team and second-team all-MVC squad. Doehring had a strong season, hitting .284 with seven home runs, a team-high 12 doubles and nine stolen bases in nine attempts. She led SIU's defense with six double plays and 129 assists and led the Salukis and ranked in the MVC's top ten in 13 different categories.
Carter, a sophomore, started 36 games at second base, batting .275 in MVC play. She shared time with Roney, who started 15 games at second. Carter stole seven bases in nine attempts and played great defense, finishing with a .958 fielding percentage.
Louis, the 2003 MVC Rookie-of-the-Year and a first-team all-MVC selection, will share time at first base with Creek, a junior. The freshman set the school record with 12 home runs and led SIU with a .552 slugging percentage, 33 RBI and 70 total bases. Louis started 38 games at first base, ten at designated player, three at third base and two at second base. She also played shortstop for an inning, showing her ability to handle any infield position, posting a .990 fielding percentage.
Creek started 36 games at designated player and 15 at first base. She'll play first as long as her health holds up and serve primarily as the designated player. Creek had eight home runs, nine doubles and 30 RBI in 2003.
"Pitcher Ashley Hamby can also play first base, third base and designated player and Louis can go to shortstop if Doehring needs a rest. We have a lot of options and everyone will play early on until we settle into a rotation," an excited Blaylock stated.
Outfield
The Salukis return a talented trio of strong arms in the outfield. Damico, a junior, was named to the NCAA Region VIII All-Tournament Team after leading SIU hitters with a .455 average with four RBI. She started 40 games in centerfield. Bonnell, a senior, was named to the MVC All-Tournament Team and as well as second-team all-MVC after leading SIU with a .309 average. She had three assists at first base, to take away hits, and started 33 games in rightfield and 13 in centerfield. Jordan, a junior, hit nine home runs and started 46 games in leftfield. The starters will be backed up by Pepin, Scoggins, Roney and Andrews.
"I think there's no question we're as deep as we've ever been in the outfield. We have three returning starters that do a tremendous job. Lindsey Bonnell gives us a dimension in rightfield of throwing people out at first base, Maria Damico tracks the ball very well in center and Katie Jordan has a fantastic arm in leftfield and has improved her quickness. We also have Cassidy Scoggins, who's also a pitcher, Alex Pepin and Christina Andrews. We can play them in any of the positions. Cassidy has a strong arm and Alex is very fast. They both played well this fall. Christina is a good utility player for us. We will also have Roney in the outfield. She has a fantastic arm and is fearless, so we'll be very deep in the outfield," Blaylock said.
The Goal
With every starter returning from a Top 25 team, and a second place finish in the MVC in 2003, the primary goal for the 2004 Salukis is winning their first MVC title. The thoughts of a return trip to the NCAA Tournament will be on everyone's mind, but this team is focused on becoming SIU's first MVC regular season and tournament champions.
"Our kids are hungry for an MVC championship because, last year we had a great season and finished as a regional finalist, but we still didn't win a conference title. They want to be able to say that they're MVC champions. That's the ultimate goal, then there's also no question that we want to get back to the NCAA Tournament. Those two things are what we're focusing on and hoping to attain," added Blaylock.
The MVC Race
With the focus on winning SIU's first MVC championship, Blaylock says the Valley race is going to be a tough championship to win. It's hard to select a favorite with so many strong teams in the Missouri Valley Conference.
"A number of teams could win the title, that's my feeling. I think the league is loaded and it's going to be a fantastic run. The MVC is so balanced, that every game will be tough. There's going to be a lot of surprises and the league race should be difficult. You need good pitching and there are a number of teams, in addition to us, that have that good pitching. We'll go out and fight for that first MVC title," said Blaylock.
On Hosting The MVC Tournament:
For the first time in school history, SIU will host the MVC Tournament at the new Charlotte West Stadium, providing the Salukis with the home field advantage and hopefully additional motivation to capture their first MVC Tournament title. Southern Illinois won the 1991 Gateway Tournament title in its only previous experience hosting a tournament.
"We're excited about hosting the MVC Tournament because our new kids have been in the 2003 tournament, and for Bonnell, Doehring and the sophomores, it was the first time. We didn't fare too well before, losing two straight games at Illinois State in 2002. I feel like the more experience we gain, the better. I don't know if we could have played under more pressure than we did at the NCAA Tournament and we did pretty well. We're glad to have it at SIU and to have our home fans watching us play and cheering us on," stated Blaylock.
With all the returning players, some key additions providing depth, and a chance to host the MVC Tournament for the first time, the outlook for SIU to win its first MVC regular season and MVC Tournament titles in 2004 looks good.
