Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Competes At Rebel Classic Tournament This Weekend
02/12/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 12, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. -
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After a disappointing fourth place finish at the Triple Crown Invitational last weekend, the Southern Illinois University softball team (3-2) will try to maintain its #24 NFCA ranking at the Rebel Classic in Oxford, Miss. at the University of Mississippi on Feb. 14-15. SIU is scheduled to play five games against Illinois-Chicago, Mississippi, Tennessee-Martin and Tulsa, including two against host Ole Miss.
The Salukis were expected by many to dominate last weekend's Triple Crown Invitational, but lost two games. The two losses provided a learning experience for SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock and her team.
"What we learned from last weekend is that every weekend out, you'll face quality teams who can beat you. This weekend will be no different. Illinois-Chicago always seems to be able to hit the ball and they were an NCAA Tournament team recently. Ole Miss just lost a 3-2 game to #2 Arizona and can also hit the ball. Tulsa has been projected to be an NCAA Tournament team in 2004. They're 3-2 just like us and aren't real happy about it. Tennessee-Martin is becoming a local rival and I'm sure they want to beat us. It will be a good tournament for us," said Blaylock.
The Salukis lost 5-0 and committed eight errors in the season opener to Marshall and also beat undefeated Stetson 5-0 in the same weekend. Blaylock says the focus is on one word for this weekend.
"I think consistency is the most important thing for our team. I thought we played great against Stetson (5-0 win) and the worst we could play against Marshall (eight errors, 5-0 loss). We had two extremes and I want consistency. I thought the pitching and the defense started to come around in the tournament, but we're looking for good at bats from our hitters in each at bat. I think our kids know what it takes to win, they just have to translate everything to the game," Blaylock stated.
"The team wasn't happy, which made me feel better. Our coaching staff wasn't happy either, but the kids know they have to play better and weren't happy with themselves."
SIU opens play Saturday at 10 a.m. against Illinois-Chicago (0-5), a team that lost all five games last week at the Santa Barbara Tournament to open its season. Southern Illinois is 7-0 all-time versus the Flames. At 2 p.m., the Salukis face host Mississippi (0-4). The Rebels lost all four games at the Arizona Pepsi Classic, including a 3-2 loss to #2 Arizona. SIU is 3-1 all-time against Ole Miss, including a 3-1 win over the Rebels last year at the Triple Crown Invitational. The Salukis wrap up Saturday's games with a 6 p.m. contest against Tennessee-Martin (0-0), who hasn't played yet this year. The Salukis swept the Skyhawks last year in Carbondale and are 3-0 all-time versus UTM. On Sunday, SIU faces Tulsa (3-2) at 10 a.m. The Golden Hurricane won three of five games at the Century Telnet Classic in Texas. The Salukis are 8-2 all-time against Tulsa, a former MVC member. The Salukis will wrap up the Rebel Classic with a finale on Sunday at 2 p.m. versus Ole Miss.
Jenny Doehring led SIU last week with a .357 average with three doubles. Amy Harre (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Cassidy Scoggins (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Alison Thompson (1-1, 1.08 ERA) each picked up wins last week. Katie Louis and Katie Jordan each hit three-run home runs that provided the winning runs in games.
Results from the Rebel Classic can be found at www.siusalukis.com after each game. SIU's two games with Mississippi on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. will be available live on the Gametracker link on the front page of the SIU website, www.siusalukis.com.
