Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball heads to Lonestar State for Crowne Plaza Classic
02/15/2007 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 15, 2007
By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com
HOUSTON - The Southern Illinois University softball team (4-1) continues its 2007 campaign this weekend as the team travels to Houston, Texas for the Crowne Plaza Classic, hosted by the University of Houston.
Crowne Plaza Classic Game Notes [PDF].
The Salukis are scheduled to play five games at the three-day tournament with action kicking off on Friday, Feb. 16 with Big Ten member Indiana (0-0) at 11 a.m..
SIU is coming off of last weekend's season-opening tournament in which the Salukis went 4-1 with the lone loss coming in a 9-0 affair with North Carolina-Greensboro in the opening game.
Southern bounced back after the loss to beat tournament host Jacksonville twice before following up with wins over UNC-Greensboro and Minnesota.
Sophomore Katie Wagner led the Salukis offensively, hitting .625 with two home runs. The two home runs both came in SIU's 6-2 win over UNC-Greensboro, tying a Southern Illinois record for home runs in a single game.
In the circle, it was Ashley Hamby leaving the weekend with a perfect 3-0 record. With the wins, Hamby improves to 21-3 in her career, making her the winningest pitcher in SIU history by winning percentage.
Posting a similar performance at the Crowne Plaza Classic will be no easy task. After opening the tournament with Indiana, the Salukis are set to face Texas State (1-4), Houston (3-2), Centenary (0-5) and #5/8 Louisiana State (7-0).
Also competing this week at the Crowne Plaza Classic, but not facing the Salukis, is fellow Missouri Valley Conference member Missouri State (5-0).
All games are scheduled to be played at Houston's Cougar Softball Stadium (1,200). GameTracker is also available for all of the Crowne Plaza Classic games by accessing the Tournament Central Web site.
SIU Crowne Plaza Classic Game Schedule
Friday, Feb. 16 - Indiana - 11 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 16 - Texas State - 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17 - Houston - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 17 - Centenary - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 - Louisiana State - 11 a.m.
