Southern Illinois University
21-6
Southeast Missouri State
5-18
Softball Beats SEMO 3-1, Sweeps Non-Conference Doubleheader
03/25/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 25, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Freshman Amanda Clifton went 2-for-2 and drove in the game-winning run in SIU's 3-1 win over Southeast Missouri State (5-18) to complete a doubleheader sweep on Thursday at West Stadium. The win keeps the Salukis undefeated at 12-0 at West Stadium.
The Salukis (21-6) managed just three hits in game two, but Blaylock was still pleased with the team's performance.
"I'm very happy with our pitching and defense. They have a bunch of frustrating pitchers that throw all kinds of stuff, so we may not have scored as much as we would have liked, but our kids will be ready this weekend," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
Blaylock's dynamic freshman duo of Ashley Hamby (4-1) and Cassidy Scoggins combined to throw a two-hitter in the 3-1 win. Hamby picked up the win, allowing just two hits in five innings with a strikeout and a walk. Scoggins threw two innings of hitless relief with a walk and two strikeouts to collect her first college save.
"All our pitchers are throwing well right now. That makes it great for a coach. I have confidence in all the pitchers I can put out there and that's great," stated Blaylock.
The Salukis scored the game's first two runs in the second inning behind Clifton's two-RBI double. Katie Jordan walked to open the inning and Christina Andrews came on to pinch run for Jordan. A Haley Viefhaus sacrifice moved Andrews to second with one out. Following an out, Katie Louis walked, setting the table for Clifton's double to left centerfield, scoring Andrews and Louis for the 2-0 lead and the winning run.
SIU added a third run in the third inning without a hit. Samantha Carter led off with a walk and advanced to second when she beat a throw on Alex Pepin's fielder's choice. Jenny Doehring sacrificed to move Carter to third and Pepin to second, before Jordan foul pop out to leftfield scored Carter for a 3-0 lead.
SEMO finally scored in the doubleheader in the fifth inning on a double, single and sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 3-1. Hamby ended the threat by forcing a pop out and Scoggins dominated the final two frames.
Southeast Missouri State's Kelly Birk allowed three runs, three walks and only one hit in 2.1 innings to get the loss. Jessica Hunter threw the final 3.2 innings for the Otahkians allowing two hits and two walks.
Clifton (2-for-2, double, 2 RBI) and Maria Damico (1-for-3) collected SIU's three hits.
The Salukis will travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face Drake in a three-game MVC series on March 27-28.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Hamby (4-1)
L: Birk, K. (2-5)
S: Scoggins (1)
Batting:
2B: Birk, J. 1
RBI: Pickering 1
SH: Pickering 1
SF: Pickering 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Birk, J. 1
HBP: Murphy 1
Batting:
2B: Clifton 1
RBI: Jordan 1 ; Clifton 2
SH: Doehring 1 ; Viefhaus, H. 1 ; Clifton 1
SF: Jordan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Carter 1 ; Andrews 1 ; Louis 1
HBP: Doehring 1
