Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball opens up play at Citrus Classic on Friday
02/23/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill -The Southern Illinois softball team will face tough competition from major conferences, including the ACC and Big 10, at the Citrus Classic in Orlando, Fla. Friday-Sunday. The tournament will be held at the ESPN Softball Diamondplex in the Wide World of Sports Complex.
Games 7-11 • Feburary 24-26, 2012
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Orlando, Fla.
Radio: None
Stats: Gametracker
Video: ESPN3 (vs. FSU only)
CITRUS CLASSIC SCHEDULE
2/24 Maryland 11:15 a.m. CT
2/24 Wisconsin 3:45 p.m. CT
2/25 Florida State 11:15 a.m. CT
2/25 Marshall 1:30 p.m. CT
2/26 St. John's 9 a.m. CT
WEATHER
Friday: High: 87˚ Low: 58˚, sunny, isolated thunderstorms 30%
Saturday: High: 68˚, Low: 48˚, cloudy
Sunday: High: 73, partly cloudy
CITRUS CLASSIC QUICK HITS
All-time history vs. opponents
Maryland: 1-0, last meeting March 11, 2005 in a 3-1 win at the Florida State Invitational.
Wisconsin: 1-0, last meeting March 9, 2009 at the Coach B Classic in a 3-0 win.
Florida State: 4-7, last meeting February 26, 2010 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in a 9-1 loss. Last win February 25, 2007 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in a 4-1 victory.
Marshall: 0-1, last meeting February 6, 2004 in a 5-0 loss.
St. John's: First meeting
SCOUTING MARYLAND (6-1)
The Terps kicked off the 2012 season at the Florida Atlantic University Kick-Off Classic where they went 4-1 including a key win over No. 11 Michigan. They also defeated Long Island, host FAU, and Kentucky but fell to Wright State. The Terps were led at the plate by senior catcher/outfielder Sloan Van Meter with a .333 batting average off five hits, two doubles, one RBI, and one stolen base.
SCOUTING WISCONSIN (2-2)
The Badgers opened up their season at the USF Tournament as they went 2-2 in wins over Georgia Southern and Drake while dropping contest to USF and Arkansas. Wisconsin is led by freshman outfielder Marissa Mersch who holds a .333 batting average, a double, two RBI, and five total bases. Pitchers Cassandra Darrah and Meghan Mcinstosh carry the load in the circle as they account for all but one of the innings pitched this season. They hold a combined 2.42 ERA and hold opponents to a .250 batting average against them. The Terps are also receiving votes in both Top 25 polls.
SCOUTING NO. 25 FLORIDA STATE (10-0)
The undefeated Seminoles (10-0) after a win over Central Florida Wednesday and are in their best start since 2004. In two home tournaments this season, Florida State has cruised to a perfect start including wins over Mercer and Ole Miss. They are led by junior first baseman Briana Hamilton (.417 batting average and sophomore outfielder Courtney Senas (.400 batting avg, two doubles, six RBI). The Seminoles' pitching is also quite impressive. As a team, they hold a 1.31 ERA and hold opponents to a .161 batting average led by junior transfer Monica Perry (1.84 ERA, 3-0) and Lacey Waldrop (1.01 ERA, 4-0).
SCOUTING MARSHALL (6-3)
The Herd enters the weekend match-up 6-3 on the season including going 2-2 at the College of Charleston Classic last weekend. At the plate, Marshall is led by senior catcher/first baseman Rebecca Gamby (.423 batting average, two doubles, two home runs, five RBI) and senior outfielder Melissa Loesing (.385 batting average, five hits, five total bases). Andi Williamson leads things in the circle as the reigning C-USA Pitcher of the Week she struck out a career-high 13 batters against Charleston Southern last weekend and holds a 1.99 ERA and 3-2 record.
SCOUTING ST. JOHN'S (1-6)
The Red Storm is off to a slow start, compiling a 1-6 record in the first two weekends of the season. They were swept in opening weekend at the Red & Black Invitational at Georgia and picked up their lone win at the Longwood Lancer Lead-Off over UMBC last weekend. The Red Storm are led by senior outfielder Kristi Cady (.442 batting avg, three doubles, two triples. four RBI)
SALUKIS ON ESPN 3
The Salukis game against No. 25 Florida State on Saturday will be broadcast on ESPN 3, an internet-only broadcast. This is the first time the Salukis have been featured on any of the ESPN family of networks. RECAPPING LAST WEEKEND The Salukis went 2-1 at the Jacksonville State Invitational with wins over the host Gamecocks and Southeastern Louisiana. The Salukis squeezed out a 10-9 victory over JSU and run-ruled Southeastern Louisiana.
ASHTON HEATS UP
Sophomore Kelsea Ashton is making a name for herself for the Salukis. Not only has she started every game at third base for the Salukis this season, Ashton holds a .412 batting average, which is third-best on the team, a staggering improvement from a season ago when she didn't even have a hit. She launched her first career home run against Jacksonville State over the weekend in a four-run seventh inning helping the Salukis to a 10-9 win. Overall, Ashton is 7-for-17 with a double, home run, five RBI, six runs scored, 11 total bases, and a .647 slugging percentage.
