Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Southern Illinois University
20-9, 7-2
Illinois State
20-15, 6-3
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois State | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| Southern Illinois | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | X | 2 | 6 | 0 |
Softball takes series with 2-1 win over Illinois State
04/01/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 1, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Haley Gorman came through with an RBI double and an Illinois State error helped the Southern Illinois softball team to a 2-1 win Sunday afternoon at Charlotte West Stadium.
The Salukis (20-9, 7-2) won the series 2-1 over the Redbirds, the preseason favorite and reigning Missouri Valley Conference regular season champions, for the first complete series win over ISU since 2008.
Southern had opportunities in the second, third, and fourth innings, but stranded two runners on base in each of those innings, unable to push any across the plate.
The Redbirds (20-15, 6-3 MVC) scored first with their only run coming off a solo home run by third baseman Elizabeth Kay in the fourth. They were held scoreless and had just one hit for the remainder of the game.
"I thought we put the ball in play and had runners on base the whole game and just couldn't seal the deal and I told them `If you want to go further, you have to be tough in tough moments,'" SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock said.
The Dawgs listened. SIU gained momentum as Mallory Duran-Sellers drew the only walk issued in the series from ISU's ace Jordan Birch to lead off the sixth. She was aboard as Gorman came to the plate for an RBI double to tie the game.
Allie VadeBoncouer then reached on an error, one of the Redbirds' two errors in the game, as Gorman came around to score for the eventual game-winning run.
Alyssa Wunderlich (8-1, 3-0) nearly threw a complete game in her eighth win of the season and third win in conference play. Katie Bertelsen replaced Wunderlich in the top of the seventh with two outs and two balls against pinch hitter Shelby Music. Bertelsen battled back to strike out Music, earning her third save of the season.
"Alyssa did a great job today and I asked Bertie if she could come in and throw me some strikes because I knew that batter had gone 0-for-3, so I just wanted someone to challenge her," Blaylock said.
The Dawgs had six hits in the game as Gorman went 1-for-3 with the lone RBI in the contest. Duran-Sellers, Taylor Orsburn, Meredith Wilson, Jayna Spivey, and Kalyn Harker all added hits.
"I'm pleased with the way the kids battled and their resiliency because the last two years we've been on the other end of things but this win doesn't mean anything if we don't take care of business later on down the road," Blaylock said.
The win moves the Salukis into sole possession of third place as Northern Iowa (9-0) and Drake (8-1) lead the standings in the MVC.
The Salukis are back in action Wednesday as they travel to Saint Louis University for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Wunderlich, Alyssa (8-1)
L: Birch, Jordan (12-9)
S: Bertelsen, Katie (3)
Batting:
HR: Kay, Elizabeth 1
RBI: Kay, Elizabeth 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kay, Elizabeth 1
CS: Greene, Lindsey 1
Batting:
2B: Gorman, Haley 1
RBI: Gorman, Haley 1
SH: Ashton, Kelsea 2 ; Orsburn, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Duran-Sellers, Mallory 1 ; Gorman, Haley 1
