Softball downs Texas Tech an Central Florida in Triple Crown Invitational

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Illinois Central College

Feb. 10, 2006

Texas Tech Box Score
Central Florida Box Score

By Matt Crouch
www.siusalukis.com

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Southern Illinois relied on the pitching of Cassidy Scoggins and a two-run home run by freshman Jayme Wamsley to pick up two wins to open the 2006 softball season.

The Salukis beat Texas Tech (2-1) 3-0 in the leadoff game of the Triple Crown Invitational, following it up with a come-from-behind win against Central Florida, 5-2 (0-1).

Overall, head coach Kerri Blaylock was pleased with the team's performance in its first showing.

"I really like our tenacity in the second game when we came back. In the first game I thought Cassidy (Scoggins) did a tremendous job throwing the ball and I thought our bats did a great job. In the second game, Ashley (Hamby) did a good job settling down," said Blaylock.

"We're going to have to learn that we are going to have to win some ball games giving up a couple of runs."

In the first game, it was Scoggins taking charge as she tallied 12 strikeouts against the Red Raiders. She also gave up seven hits one walk in the shut out win.

SIU first took the lead against Texas Tech in the third inning when Samantha Carter hit a single to left field, scoring freshman Katie Schmidt. Schmidt was pinch-running for Chelsea Petty after Petty hit a single to center field to start the inning.

The Salukis solidified the win in the sixth inning with Wamsley pinch hitting for fellow freshman Katie Wagner, hitting a double to center field to score Lauren Haas and Christina Andrews.

Haas doubled to left to start the inning while Andrews was pinch-running for Becky Wegmann, who hit a single to third base.

Scoggins again came up big for the Salukis in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, the Red Raiders loaded the bases on three-straight base hits, but Scoggins struck pinch hitter Erin Crawford looking to close out the game.

In the second game, SIU fell down early as Central Florida picked up three base hits out of its first four batters, leading to an early 2-0 lead.

SIU was able to re-group and take back one run in the second inning as Petty scored on a double by Wegmann.

The Golden Knights maintained the one-run lead until the fifth inning when it was Wamsley again coming up big for the Salukis with a two-run home run, also scoring Carter.

Carter hit a double to left field to get on base and moved to third on a ground-out by Lauren Roney.

SIU extended the lead to 5-2 in the sixth inning on runs by Alex Pepin and Schmidt.

Schmidt came in for Katie Louis after she got on base with a single to center field. Schmidt moved to second on a single by Petty and made it to third on a passed ball.

Petty also advanced on the passed ball and was replaced by pinch-runner Pepin. Wegmann joined the duo on base as she was intentionally walked to load the bases.

SIU took advantage as Dismore grounded out to the second baseman, scoring Schmidt. Carter then hit a single to the pitcher, bringing in Pepin and the 5-2 victory.

Ashley Hamby picked up the win in the second game. Hamby pitched 6.2 innings, striking out two batters. She gave up nine hits, three walks and runs in the game.

Scoggins came in and struck out Magon Paul, with runners on first and second, to close out the game and earn the save.

"I thought we had a good day today, saw some good things and it will get better and better as the season goes along, they just need to settle down and trust themselves," said Blaylock.

The Salukis return to action Saturday with two more games at the Triple Crown Invitational. SIU will play Texas Tech at 12:15 p.m. CT and Central Florida at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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