Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball goes 4-0 at Illinois State Tournament
09/10/2006 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Sept. 10, 2006
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
NORMAL, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University softball team made it a clean sweep Sunday at the Illinois State Tournament, finishing with a 4-0 record after wins over Illinois Central College and Western Illinois.
The Salukis opened up fall play on Saturday with a 4-1 win over Bradley and a 7-0 win over St. Xavier. SIU returned to the field on Sunday for an 8-0 win over ICC in six innings and a 7-0 win over Western Illinois.
"I think we did a very good job in our first weekend," said SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock. "It was great seeing the new players on the field and playing some other teams."
Sophomore Katie McNamara pitched the win over ICC, giving up five hits while striking out four batters en route to the shutout win.
Freshman Alicia Garza, who hit a home run on her first pitch as a Saluki on Saturday, continued her outstanding play as she went 2-for-3 with a double against ICC.
Freshman Katie Wilson and senior Amanda Clifton both went 2-for-4 against the Lady Cougars with two RBI apiece. Sophomore Katie Wagner went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.
In Southern's final game of the tournament, senior pitcher Cassidy Scoggins pitched her second win of the weekend as the Salukis shut out Western Illinois, 7-0.
Scoggins pitched a one-hitter in the win over the Leathernecks, striking out 10 batters.
Garza went 2-for-3 in the game with a double and three RBI while junior Chelsea Petty hit a home run in her only at bat.
"I think our pitching and defense were tremendous this weekend, we had several diving catches in the infield and the outfield. I'm also very, very pleased with our intensity on offense," said Blaylock.
"We just want to continue what we have been doing and continue to get looks at everybody. We have had a change in attitude, lots of intensity and want to treat every game like a NCAA regional."
The Salukis continue fall play Sept. 16-17 as the team comes home for the Saluki Invitational. SIU-Edwardsville, John A. Logan College and IUPUI are all scheduled to play in the round-robin tournament at Charlotte West Stadium.
