Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball faces Creighton Sunday in doubleheader
03/25/2011 | 12:00:00 | Softball
March 25, 2011
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois softball team will continue conference play as it travels to Creighton for a doubleheader on Sunday.
The series schedule was changed on Thursday due to weather in Omaha, as the two teams will now only meet on Sunday in a doubleheader, rather than a three game series that was originally scheduled.
The Salukis are coming off a 5-2 loss to Illinois on Wednesday in Carbondale, Ill. while the Bluejays were rained out at home against Iowa State in a scheduled doubleheader.
First pitch for Sunday's doubleheader is scheduled for noon in Omaha, Neb. at the CU Sports Complex.
Game Info
Southern Illinois (16-10, 3-0 MVC) vs. Creighton (11-13, 2-1 MVC)
Games No. 27-28
Mar. 27, 2011 in Omaha, Neb.
Radio: Saluki Game Central (Play-by-play with Patrick Erickson)
Stats: Gametracker or stats.siu.edu
ON DECK: CREIGHTON
Last time they met: Creighton took two games from the Dawgs, including the MVC Championship game back on May 15, 2010. In the regular season series, the Salukis took both games, as game three was cancelled due to weather in Carbondale, Ill. All-time record: The Bluejays lead the all-time series 30-20.
SCOUTING THE BLUEJAYS
Creighton brings a 11-13 record into this weekend as they open their home season. In MVC opening weekend, the Bluejays, who were picked sixth in the preseason conference poll, went 2-1 against Evansville. Junior outfielder Christina Ruf hit two two-run home runs to help them come out ahead in the series. Ruf, who was named the MVC Player of the Week, lead the team in batting average (.328) hits (22), and RBIs (20). Becca Chagstrom leads the team on the mound with a 1.43 ERA with an 8-5 record in 83.2 innings pitched with five shutouts and holds her opponents to a .143 batting average. As a staff, the Bluejay hurlers have a 3.18 ERA and seven shutouts.
SALUKIS FALL TO ILLINOIS, 5-2
A costly first inning doomed the Salukis against in-state rival Illinois as they fell in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday. The Salukis managaed only three hits in the game, two coming off the bat of Chelsea Held including her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the seventh inning. This season, the Salukis are 1-4 against schools in the state of Illinois.
STREAKIN'
The Salukis 1-2 batters, Mallory Duran and Haley Gorman, have seen success at the plate this season, including lengthy hit streaks. Duran held a 13 game hit streak from Feb. 27-Mar. 23 while Gorman currently holds a 10 game hit streak. The duo also holds the two best batting averages on the team, with Duran's .358 average and Gorman following closely behind with a .326 average. They combine for 47 hits, 19 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases.
BRADLEY LISTED DAY-TO-DAY
Sophomore outfielder Michelle Bradley is currently listed day-to-day after a recent diagnosis of pneumonia and mono. Bradley, who holds a .263 average with 10 hits, six RBIs, and one home run, has appeared in 17 games for the Salukis, primarily at right field and designated player. She will be listed as day-to-day until a re-evaluation on Monday.
