Southern Illinois University
35-17, 0
Drake
31-20, 0
Softball splits doubleheader against Drake
05/07/2010 | 12:00:00 | Softball
May 7, 2010
By Beth Miller
www.SIUSalukis.com
DES MOINES, Iowa - The Southern Illinois Softball team split Friday's doubleheader with Drake. SIU (35-18, 19-5 MVC) took game one, 6-1, while Drake (32-20, 12-12 MVC) won game two, 2-0.
SIU, Illinois State and Creighton entered the weekend in a battle for the top-three spots in the Missouri Valley Conference. Southern's win in game one secures a top-two spot in the final MVC standings, which guarantees the Salukis at least two games at the Valley tournament next week. A new modified bracket allows the top-two teams a chance to work their way back into the championship game, should they lose their first game. Creighton and Illinois State are in action tomorrow, as the Bluejays and Redbirds will look to join the Salukis in the top-two.
Game 1 - Southern Illinois 6, Drake 1
It was a senior showcase in game one as Alicia Garza, Allie Hanson and Katie Wilson drove in a combined five runs in the seventh inning for the 6-1 win.
A successful bunt by Chelsea Held loaded the bases in the top of the second inning, followed by a walk from Mallory Duran to walk in the first run of the game and give SIU a 1-0 lead over the Bulldogs.
Drake got on the board in the bottom of the third inning, as an unusual situation tied the game at 1-1. Elena Leon and Macie Silliman occupied first and second, and proceeded to advance on a wild pitch from Danielle Glosson. As the junior pitcher was getting ready in the circle, Leon took the opportunity to steal home and tie the game. Head Coach Kerri Blaylock says the play could have shook up the Salukis, who were caught off guard, but the team pressed on never missing a beat.
"We kept our wits about us and stayed very calm," Blaylock said. "And we figured out a way to beat Dordel, who is a very good pitcher."
The Bulldogs and Salukis remained tied until the top of the seventh, when SIU put up five runs for a 6-1 lead in the final inning of play. Garza got things started with a single to left field, earning her 34th RBI of the season. The RBI marked Garza's 130th in her career, moving the senior to second all-time in school history.
Wilson extended her single-season record to 49, with an RBI that drove in a run to put SIU up 3-1. Hanson wrapped things up with her first career triple, which drove in two runs for the 5-1 lead. The throw from center field went into the Bulldog's dugout, advancing Hanson home for the 6-1 lead over Drake.
Glosson (22-12) picked up her 22nd win on the season striking out 12 at the plate, second-highest mark on the season for the junior. Glosson allowed only three hits in game one, while walking only two. Brynne Dordel (15-9) was handed the loss, allowing six runs off six hits.
"I thought she came out and set a tone for us in the first game and did a very good job working their hitters over," Blaylock said. "Danielle has been very consistent for us."
Hanson helped SIU to their 6-1 win going 1-for-3 with one run, two RBI and a triple. The win secured SIU a top-two spot in the final Missouri Valley Conference standings, guaranteeing the Salukis two games in the MVC Tournament.
Game 2 - Drake 2, Southern Illinois 0
The Salukis found themselves behind in game two, as they fell to the Bulldogs, 2-0. This marks only the second time this season they Salukis have been shut out by a conference opponent.
Drake got on the board early, when a double from Erin Mollohan drove in the first run of the game and gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Mollohan's extra-base hit earned her the single-season doubles record at DU.
Elena Leon also recorded an RBI double, putting Drake up 2-0 over Southern Illinois. The Saluki bats were swinging, they were just unable to get any runs past home plate leaving 10 runners on base in game two.
"I told the kids you have to come out and stay," Blaylock said. "Don't get tentative in situations when you have the ability to get an RBI, you have to be aggressive. I think their approach is good and they've come out alert and ready to play. We just need to take that into tomorrow."
SIU will face Drake in its final regular-season game tomorrow at noon. If Southern wins, the Salukis will clinch the Missouri Valley Conference title for the first time since 2005.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Glosson, Danielle (22-12)
L: Dordel, Brynne (15-9)
Batting:
3B: Hanson, Allie 1
RBI: Duran, Mallory 1 ; Garza, Alicia 1 ; Wilson, Katie 1 ; Hanson, Allie 2
SH: Gorman, Haley 1 ; Weissinger, Natalee 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Duran, Mallory 1 ; Garza, Alicia 1 ; Wilson, Katie 1 ; Hanson, Allie 1 ; Barchan, Morgan 1 ; Junker, Alicia 1
SB: Weissinger, Natalee 1
HBP: Hanson, Allie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Leon, Elena 1
SB: Leon, Elena 1 ; Craddock, Torey 1
