Southern Illinois University
30-8, 10-2
Illinois State
21-14-1, 7-5
Softball Falls To Illinois State 5-2, Splits Doubleheader
04/09/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 9, 2004
By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Just two feet separated Southern Illinois (30-8, 10-2 MVC) from playing two extra inning games on Friday at West Stadium. Trailing 5-2 in the seventh inning, with two on and down to a final out, SIU's Katie Louis hit a deep fly ball to leftfield that many thought would tie the game at 5-5.
Instead, the pro-SIU crowd was quieted when ISU's Randi Patton caught the ball on the warning track, securing Illinois State's 5-2 win and a split of the MVC doubleheader on Friday. The loss was the first all season at West Stadium for the Salukis after 15 straight wins.
Illinois State jumped on SIU early, chasing SIU starter Alison Thompson (4-3) after 1.1 innings. Thompson allowed three hits, three walks and three runs before giving way to Ashley Hamby. After two scoreless innings by Hamby, ISU chased the freshman after two hits to open the fifth inning. Cassidy Scoggins came on to relieve Hamby and allowed two runs on a groundout and a double, which scored Hamby's two baserunners and gave the Redbirds a 5-0 lead.
The fact that SIU had a chance to tie a game is an accomplishment in itself. Trailing 5-0 after five innings, SIU responding with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Jenny Doehring singled to open the inning and Katie Jordan followed with a single, chasing ISU's Shannon Nicholson from the game for reliever Sheila Emms.
Haley Viefhaus reached on a fielder's choice against Emms and Jordan was thrown out at second. Doehring moved to third base. Katie Louis followed with an RBI double, scoring Doehring to put SIU on the scoreboard. Adie Viefhaus singled up the middle to score her sister, Haley, and the lead was cut to 5-2.
The second SIU run forced Illinois State to bring in game one starter Stacy Birk, who hit Amanda Clifton to load the bases. SIU's Maria Damico grounded to third and the Redbirds threw home for the force out. Kelly Creek came in to pinch hit and popped out to end SIU's threat.
In the seventh, SIU's Lauren Roney and Doehring walked to open the inning, chasing Birk and bringing ISU's starter Nicholson back in the game. She struck out Jordan struck out and forced Haley Viefhaus to pop out to set up Louis' near heroics.
Both teams used three pitchers in the game, including ISU's Shannon (7-5), who started and finished the game for the Redbirds. In six innings, she allowed to walks, four hits and two runs with five strikeouts for the win.
SIU's Hamby pitched 2.2 innings (2 runs, 3 hits, K) and Scoggins threw two innings (2 hits, BB, 2K) of relief for SIU.
Jordan (2-for-4), Damico (1-for-2), Doehring (1-for-3, run), Adie Viefhaus (1-for-3, RBI) and Louis (1-for-4, RBI) led the SIU offense.
The Salukis will wrap up the series with the 12 p.m. finale on Saturday at West Stadium.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nicholson (7-5)
L: Thompson (4-3)
Batting:
2B: Louis 1
RBI: Louis 1 ; Viefhaus, A. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Doehring 1 ; Viefhaus, H. 1
HBP: Clifton 1
Batting:
2B: Garner 1 ; Borba 1 ; Guilbault 1
HR: Krueger, B. 1
RBI: Garner 2 ; Krueger, B. 1 ; Borba 1 ; Guilbault 1
SH: Stake 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Garner 1 ; Krueger, B. 1 ; Patterson 1 ; Bierwirth 1 ; Patton 1
