Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Faces Non-Conference Rival SEMO On Thursday
03/23/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 23, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Following a Missouri Valley Conference season-opening sweep of Northern Iowa last weekend, Southern Illinois (19-6) will put its seven-game win streak and 10-0 home record on the line against non-conference rival Southeast Missouri State (5-14) Thursday at Charlotte West Stadium in a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
"It's a good regional rivalry. We both have kids from the southern Illinois area and St. Louis on our teams, so they know each other. We found out last year on our run to the regional, that it's real important that you take care of your non-conference schedule and win those games," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
The SIU-SEMO games also have a special meaning for Blaylock and assistant coach Buddy Foster, who have ties and a history with the SEMO program, coaching for SEMO head coach Lana Richmond.
"We both worked at SEMO and coach Richmond was instrumental in me getting a job here at SIU, so I've always been pretty appreciative of that. She gave me my first opportunity and has had a very successful program over there for many years (656-429-2, 22 years)," added Blaylock.
Despite SEMO's 5-14 record, Blaylock expects two tough games and knows SIU will have to continue its consistent play to get two wins.
"They have a deep pitching staff. They'll try to pressure us offensively and they always get up for this meeting and so do we. It's always a good battle," stated Blaylock.
"We have to stay consistent. We have to pitch well and play good defense. If we keep our same approach at the plate, things will take care of themselves. I really want to stay on this same level we're playing on."
The Salukis swept Northern Iowa in MVC play last weekend, winning 5-1, 1-0 and 4-1. Offensively, Kelly Creek (.500), Katie Jordan, (.375, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Haley Viefhaus (.375, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Jenny Doehring (.333) and Katie Louis (.333, 2B) led the Saluki attack. Cassidy Scoggins (1-0, 0.00 ERA), Alison Thompson (1-0, 0.00) and Ashley Hamby (1-0, 0.00) all earned their first MVC wins with out allowing an earned run.
SIU leads the series against Southeast Missouri State 67-28-1, including a 10-1 mark against the Othakians under Blaylock. The Salukis swept SEMO 5-1 and 9-3 in Cape Girardeau, Mo. in 2003.
The SIU/SEMO games can be followed live via Gametracker and fans can also listen to the games, which will be broadcast live on the internet via the Listen Live link at www.siusalukis.com.
