Softball concludes fall exhibition schedule at Kirkwood Fall Tournament
09/20/2007 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Sept. 20, 2007
By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University softball team wraps up its fall exhibition tournament schedule this weekend, Sept. 22-23, at the Kirkwood Fall Tournament in Kirkwood, Mo.
The Salukis are scheduled to compete against five opponents during the two-day event, one more than in each of SIU's first two tournaments.
On Saturday, the Salukis will face University of Missouri-Rolla at 11 a.m., Emporia State at 1 p.m. and Truman State at 5 p.m., followed by games against St. Louis University and Southeast Missouri State at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday.
SIU head coach, Kerri Blaylock, has been pleased with the team's progress throughout the fall tournaments.
"We definitely made some strides from the first tournament to the second tournament," said Blaylock. "We want to build on what we did well last weekend and take that to St. Louis to finish the fall strong."
The Salukis went 3-1 at their first tournament at Illinois State University, followed by a 4-0 performance last weekend at home during the Saluki Invitational.
Blaylock said the five-game schedule and location of the final tournament are both important factors to the fall.
"We play some good teams at Kirkwood and St. Louis is a large recruiting area, so we want to perform well," said Blaylock. "The extra game on the schedule will also get more people playing time to end the fall and prepare for the spring season."
The Salukis will open the spring regular season at the Jacksonville Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. on Friday, Feb. 8, 2008.
2007 Kirkwood Fall Tournament Schedule
Saturday, Sept. 23
11 a.m. - University of Missouri-Rolla
1 p.m.- Emporia State
5 p.m. - Truman State
Sunday, Sept. 24
1 p.m. - St. Louis University
3 p.m. - Southeast Missouri State University