Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball to play in Middle Tennessee Classic, Feb. 23-24
02/21/2008 | 12:00:00 | General
Feb. 21, 2008
By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com
Middle Tennessee Classic Game Notes
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Following winning records in their first two tournaments to start the season, the Saluki softball team will travel to Middle Tennessee State for the Middle Tennessee Classic in Murfreesboro, Tenn. this Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-24.
Southern Illinois takes an 8-2 record into the weekend after posting an undefeated, 5-0, start in the Jacksonville University Tournament (Feb. 8-10), and 3-2 record last weekend in the Bulldog Round-Robin (Feb. 15-17) at Mississippi State University.
The Salukis will face Belmont (2-2) for the first time in the program's history on Saturday at 11 a.m. to open the tournament, and take on Tennessee-Martin (3-4) later in the day at 3 p.m. SIU leads the all-time series with the Skyhawks, 9-0, and won the last meet, 9-0, on April 19 last season.
On Sunday, Southern Illinois will go up against host Middle Tennessee State (1-7) at 11 a.m. and play in either the consolation or championship game of the tournament at 3 p.m. or 5 p.m.
The Salukis enter the weekend with a strong offensive start to the season. Through 10 games, SIU is averaging over nine hits and six runs-per-game, which ranks first in the Missouri Valley Conference. Southern Illinois also has a league-best .332 batting average, 19 doubles, and is tied with Northern Iowa with seven home runs.
SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock said the offense has not only helped win games, but also provided a more relaxed feeling on defense and pitching.
"Anytime you can hit the ball the way we've been able to do, it allows you to be able to settle down on defense and in pitching," Blaylock said. "We need to stay consistent on offense to have that extra breathing room in games like we've had."
Southern Illinois moved up one spot in the others receiving votes section of both major top-25 polls earlier this week. SIU is receiving 22 votes in The USA Today/NFCA top-25 poll, and 17 votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll for a No. 29/30 national ranking.
"We need to go out and play solid on defense and pitching this weekend," Blaylock said. "If we approach every game like it's a must-win, and play at a high-level, we'll continue to make strides."
The SIU game on Sunday at 11 a.m. against Middle Tennessee State can be heard live on-line by clicking the link below.
