Softball Beats Bradley 6-2 In Game Two, Sweeps Doubleheader

Saturday, May 1

Peoria, Ill.

2:00 PM

Southern Illinois University

37-14, 14-6

Bradley

29-25, 11-11

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

05/01/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball

Box Score

May 1, 2004

By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com

Box Score

PEORIA, Ill. - Saluki senior Jenny Doehring went 2-for-4, including her second grand slam of the year, leading SIU (37-14, 14-6 MVC) to a 6-2 win over Bradley (29-25, 11-11 MVC) in game two of an MVC doubleheader on Saturday at Laura Bradley Park. The Salukis currently are second in the MVC standings behind Illinois State.

"These were very big wins, especially since we had tough conditions and had to deal with a rain delay earlier today. Our offense really stepped up in the second game and led us, so I was really pleased. We played a complete game today with all three phases, especially with our defense holding them to some long singles," said an excited Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.

Doehring tied her season and career-high with four RBI and scored twice, in addition to her second grand slam of the season and her career. Two of her three homers in 2004 are grand slams that drove in the winning runs. Defensively, the senior ended Bradley's last threat in the sixth inning, when she layed flat out to grab a line drive up the middle with runners on second and third and two outs.

"I'm so proud of Jenny, because she's been sore and has been banged up a little bit. I'm glad she broke loose and stepped up on offense today. That really propelled us to the win and her defense was strong today (nine assists, two putouts)," Blaylock added.

Bradley scored its first run of the day in the top of the first inning on a single, a sacrifice and an RBI double by Brittany Mynsberge to take a 1-0 lead.

SIU evened the score in the bottom of the first on a leadoff double by Doehring, followed by Katie Jordan's first triple of the year and second career triple, scoring Doehring. The triple was just the second of the season for SIU's and Jordan's first in two seasons.

The Braves didn't flinch, scoring another run in the top of second inning on a leadoff single, a sacrifice and an RBI single by Christine Cooney to take a 2-1 lead.

The Salukis battled right back in their half of the second inning. Kelly Creek walked to open the inning and pitcher Cassidy Scoggins pinch ran for Creek. Maria Damico doubled to rightfield moving Scoggins to third. Lindsey Bonnell walked to load the bases, setting up Doehring's heroics, and chasing Bradley starter Brittany Dehler from the game.

The Braves brought game one starter Kristy Brod in to face Doehring, and the shortstop crushed on the first pitch to dead centerfield for a grand slam and a 5-2 SIU lead.

The Salukis added an insurance run in the third inning on a single by Adie Viefhaus, a sacrifice by Creek and an RBI double by Maria Damico for a 6-2 advantage.

SIU starter Cassidy Scoggins and reliever Alison Thompson combined to pick up the win and a save. Scoggins allowed two runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings to improve to 11-4. Thompson allowed two hits and struck out one in 2.1 innings of scoreless relief for her MVC-best sixth save.

Bradley's Dehler (10-9) allowed four runs, three hits and three walks in one inning to get the loss. Brod pitched four innings in relief, allowing two runs, three hits and four walks. Kamin Hawkins gave up a hit and a walk with a strikeout in one inning of relief.

Doehring (2-for-4, grand slam, 4 RBI, 2 runs), Haley Viefhaus (2-for-4) and Damico (2-for-3, two doubles, RBI, run) led the Saluki offense.

The two teams wrap up the series on Sunday with a 12 p.m. finale.