Softball Beats Kansas 4-2 At Saluki Round Robin

Saturday, March 13

Carbondale, Ill.

4:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

15-6

Kansas (Saluki Round Robin)

13-8

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Southern Illinois	1	0	0	0	0	2	1	4	9	1
Kansas	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	5	0

03/13/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball

Box Score

March 13, 2004

By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com

Box Score

CARBONDALE, Ill. - Haley Viefhaus went 3-for-4 with an RBI and her sister, Adie, drove in the winning run with a two-RBI, pinch-hit single to lead SIU to a 4-2 win over Kansas on Saturday at the Saluki Round Robin. The Salukis improved to 15-6 with the win.

"I thought our kids came to play today in these two wins. I was concerned about their reaction after the Hawaii trip, but we did a good job against a really good Kansas team. Kansas hits the ball well, but we attacked and jumped out to the early lead," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.

"We've had so many people step up and get hits and that was the key to our success last year. Haley (Viefhaus) and Lauren (Roney) each had big days today."

The Salukis jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Lauren Roney led off the game with a single and Katie Jordan followed with a single to advance her to second base. Haley Viefhaus singled to drive in Roney and give the Salukis a 1-0 lead.

Amy Harre allowed a hit in the first and then retired 11 straight batters before two runners reached in the bottom of the fifth inning on an error and a fielder's choice with one out. Harre forced two ground outs to get out of the inning and keep the 1-0 advantage.

The Viefhaus sisters started and finished a two-run inning in the top of the fifth. Haley hit her third single of the day with one out. Amanda Clifton followed with a single to move Haley to second. Adie Viefhaus came on to pinch hit and doubled in sister Haley and Clifton for a 3-0 lead.

"It was a gut feeling to pinch hit Adie since I thought Kansas was having more troubles with our left handed hitters," added Blaylock.

Kansas came right back in the bottom of the fifth inning with a single run on a double by Mel Wallach and a two-out RBI single Destiny Frankenstein to cut the lead to 3-1. Harre forced a pop out to end the threat.

SIU added a run in the top of the seventh inning. Roney led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice. Jordan singled with two outs to drive in Roney and give SIU a 4-1 lead.

Kansas made it interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jessica Moppin led off with a walk and advanced to second on a ground out. Harre forced a ground out to short for the second out, before two straight singles cut the lead to 4-2. Alison Thompson came on for Harre and threw a wild pitch, leaving runners on second and third with two outs. Thompson struck out Nic Washburn to win the game, collecting her and SIU's first save of the year. Harre (7-1) allowed five hits, a walk and two earned runs in 6.2 innings before being relieved by Alison Thompson with two outs in the seventh inning.

"Amy's a little sore after pitching so much in Hawaii, but she did a good job and we'll get her some rest next week," Blaylock stated.

Haley Viefhaus (3-for-4, run, RBI), Roney (2-for-4, 2 runs), Jordan (2-for-4, RBI), Adie Viefhaus (1-for-1, 2 RBI) and Amanda Clifton (1-for-3) led the SIU offense.

The Salukis will face DePaul (2 p.m.) and Illinois State (6 p.m.) on Sunday.