Southern Illinois University
27-14, 0
Illinois State
23-13, 0
Softball drops doubleheader to Illinois State
04/17/2010 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 17, 2010
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois Softball team was handed their first doubleheader sweep of the season ,falling to Illinois State 1-0 and 11-2.
The Salukis allowed a run to cross the plate in game one of a conference doubleheader for the first time Saturday, as the Redbirds took a 1-0 edge over SIU for the win. SIU went hitless for the first time this season, and were shutout for just the second time. Illinois State's 11-2 victory in game two marked the most runs given up by SIU so far this season.
The Salukis move to 27-15 overall, 12-3 in Missouri Valley Conference play after seeing their first doubleheader sweep of the season. SIU had actually swept the doubleheader in each of their Valley matchups until Saturday. The sweep improves Illinois State to 24-13 overall, 12-2 in conference play. Sunday's game will be a battle for the No. 1 spot on the Valley.
Illinois State 1, Southern Illinois 0
The Redbirds were close to breaking a scoreless game in the top of the fourth inning as Michelle Henderson was robbed of a home run by left fielder Mallory Duran. The 5'2 sophomore reached just over the left field wall, catching what would have been a home run for Henderson.
Illinois State scored the first run of the day in the top of the sixth inning as a double by Abby Olson drove in Jhavon Hamilton all the way from first base for a 1-0 lead. This would prove to be the only run of the game for either teams, as the Redbirds edged the Salukis, 1-0, for the win.
"We felt like we had a good game plan," head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "Warner and Glosson both threw great games. It was a good 1-0 game."
Danielle Glosson was handed just her second conference loss of the season, moving to 16-10 on the season. Glosson struck out 10 at the plate, to tie her season-high, while walking only two batters. Megan Warner got the win for the Redbirds, while tossing her first-career no-hitter.
Illinois State handed Southern Illinois just their second shutout of the season. The last time SIU was shutout was at the South Florida Tournament when the Salukis fell to Penn State, 1-0.
Illinois State 11, Southern Illinois 2
After a hitless first game, the Salukis came out swinging in game two. Haley Gorman got things rolling with a leadoff single in the bottom of the first. Alicia Garza also earned a hit for Southern, but was caught stealing second base. The senior has not been caught stealing since her sophomore year in 2008. Garza was a perfect 15-for-15 in stolen bases on the season heading into Saturday's doubleheader.
The Redbirds came alive in the third inning, scoring four runs to take a comfortable lead over the Salukis. An RBI single from Hamilton drove in the first run of the game, giving ISU a 1-0 lead. Elizabeth Kay stepped up with a three-run home run for a 4-0 lead.
Shelby Music came in to pinch run for catcher Brianna Lizen, scoring on a wild pitch by Alex Peters, extending the Redbird's lead to 5-0. Four more runs would score in the top of the sixth for a 9-0 lead.
The Salukis were three outs away from being run-ruled by the Redbirds, but Katie Wilson hammered one deep into left field for an RBI double. Wilson's double drove in two runs, cutting ISU's lead to 9-2 and avoiding a run-ruled game.
Illinois State scored in the seventh for an 11-2 lead with Kara Nelson's second RBI triple of the game, followed by an RBI single from Olson. The Salukis were unable to produce any runs in the bottom of the seventh, falling to a final score of 11-2.
"I was disappointed," Blaylock said. "Jordan Birchcame into today's game with a 4.74 ERA, we should have been hitting against her."
Wilson went 1-for-3 from the plate, producing SIU's only runs of the day with her two-run RBI double in the sixth inning to avoid a back-to-back shutout. Gorman went 2-for-3, earning two of the team's six hits on the day. The Salukis cycled through all three pitchers, but Peters was handed the loss in game two, giving up six runs off four hits, and walking three batters.
SIU will wrap up its three-game series with Illinois State Sunday at noon. With the Missouri Valley Conference tournament just weeks away, Blaylock is trying to keep her team focused on each game, rather than eyeing the championship.
"I told them we have to re-group and quit worrying about the championship game," Blaylock said. "Just worry about the day-to-day."
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: WARNER,Megan (10-6)
L: Glosson, Danielle (16-10)
Batting:
2B: OLSON,Abby 1
RBI: OLSON,Abby 1
SH: HAMILTON,Jhavon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: HAMILTON,Jhavon 1
