Softball concludes fall season with Kirkwood Tournament
09/22/2006 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Sept. 22, 2006
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University softball team wraps up its fall tournament schedule this weekend, Sept. 23-24, with the Kirkwood Tournament.
This is the last of three fall tournament games for the Salukis, who are 7-0 in fall play.
The Salukis will face Southeast Missouri State, Truman State and Saint Louis University on Saturday. Play will continue Sunday with Illinois State and McKendree College.
SIU's head coach, Kerri Blaylock, is excited about this weekend's trip to Missouri and has been pleased with the team's progress throughout the fall tournaments.
"We got a good week of practice and I really think we're where we need to be," said Blaylock. "We're really looking forward to this weekend to finish out strong."
The Salukis had a four-game sweep during their first tournament, beating Bradley, St. Xavier, Illinois Central College and Western Illinois.
Last weekend SIU hosted the Saluki Invitational, coming out 3-0 against IUPUI, John A. Logan and SIU-Edwardsville.
"I have been pleased with the freshman and all three of our pitchers have thrown very well," said Blaylock. "I've been impressed with our team's defense as well. I think all of those things have made a positive impression"
As SIU prepares for a five-game tournament this weekend, including a game against Missouri Valley Conference rival Illinois State, Blaylock is hoping for consistent intensity from the team.
"We've talked about it (consistency) as something we need to work on. We're going to strive to get better at it," said Blaylock,
"We want to play to our ability all the time. That's what we talked to the team about, so hopefully we'll do that."
The Salukis will kick off their tournament play in Kirkwood, Mo. with Southeast Missouri State at 1 p.m. Saturday and start at 12 p.m. on Sunday against McKendree.
2006 Kirkwood Tournament
Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 23
1 p.m.- Southeast Missouri State University
3 p.m.- Truman State University
7 p.m. Saint Louis University
Sunday, Sept. 24
12 p.m.- McKendree College
4 p.m.- Illinois State University