Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball Travels To Illinois For Non-Conference Doubleheader
04/26/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 26, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
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CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois (35-12) wraps up its non-conference schedule on the road with a doubleheader against Illinois (32-17-1) at 4 p.m. at Eichelberger Field in Champaign, Ill.
The Salukis are coming off a split with Creighton last weekend and remain in a tie for second with the Bluejays, behind Illinois State. SIU can improve its standing nationally with a win or two over an Illini team that has been receiving votes and has been just outside the two Top 25 polls all season.
"They're a great team with a high RPI. There's no question in my mind that they'll be going to the NCAA Tournament this year. They'll get an at-large berth even if they don't win the Big 10 Tournament. They're that good," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
Illinois reached its first NCAA Tournament in 2003, just four years after the program's revival. Although the Illini were in the NCAA Region VIII Tournament with the Salukis, the teams didn't meet. Illinois returns all ten starters from last year's team, just like Southern Illinois, so Blaylock knows it won't be easy to get a win or two.
"We just need to go up there and play hard and try to get a couple wins. I told the kids we need to keep the approach we took with Kansas on the road."
The Salukis have never faced the Illini under Blaylock and will be meeting for the first time as two intercollegiate programs on Tuesday. Illinois split doubleheaders with Ohio State and Penn State last weekend, and have won eight of its last 11 contests.
The Saluki games with Illinois will be scored live via Gametracker by Illinois, but Southern Illinois fans can pull up Gametracker on SIU's home page at www.siusalukis.com.
