Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball hosts Evansville in midweek MVC doubleheader
04/16/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 16, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois softball team returns home for a Missouri Valley Conference doubleheader with Evansville at Charlotte West Stadium on Tuesday.
GAME INFORMATION
Southern Illinois Salukis (25-12, 10-4 MVC) vs. Evansville Purple Aces (11-26, 4-11 MVC)
Games 38-39 • 4 p.m & 6 p.m. • Carbondale, Ill. (Charlotte West Stadium)
Radio: Game Central on SIUSalukis.com with Patrick Erickson (play-by-play)
Video: Game Central on SIUSalukis.com
Stats: Gametracker from SIUSalukis.com ( Game One | Game Two) or stats.siu.edu
SERIES HISTORY
All-time record
The Salukis hold a commanding lead in the all-time series 55-20. The Salukis have won every series since 2002, but haven't taken a complete three-game sweep since 2007. The Salukis won the series 2-1 last year as they split games in Evansville but returned to Charlotte West where Danielle Glosson tossed a no-hitter for the series win.
WEATHER
72˚, mostly sunny
ON DECK: EVANSVILLE (11-26, 4-11 MVC)
The Purple Aces look to rebound after being swept by Wichita State over the weekend and losing their last five of seven. They are led on offense by freshman outfielder Kayla Fortner with a .402 batting average that is second-best in the MVC. As a team, they hold a .248 team average and have just eight home runs. In the circle, Sarah Patterson carries the load with a 6-13 record and a 3.67 ERA with 25 appearances for the Purple Aces. Patterson allows opponents to hit .260 and has given up 17 home runs in 110.2 innings pitched.
ANOTHER WASHED AWAY SERIES
For the fourth-straight year, the series against Missouri State was shortened due to rain. The teams have played the doubleheader but haven't been able squeeze in the series finale since 2008. The two teams split the doubleheader Saturday with a 7-2 game one win for the Dawgs and a 3-2 win in game two for the Bears.
STRIKING FIRST
The Salukis don't take long to put runs on the board as they have scored in the first inning in 20 out of their 37 games this season. They have outscored their opponents 57-21 in the opening frame and hold a 15-5 record when a run scores in the first and a 16-6 record when scoring before their opponent.
WHERE'S THE LONG BALL?
Coming into conference play, the Salukis lead the MVC in home runs but haven't been able to reach over the fence recently. The Dawgs have just one home run in the past 10 games, which came from Taylor Orsburn in a loss to UT-Martin Tuesday.
STREAKING AT SHORTSTOP
Senior co-captain Haley Gorman has been a steady force for the Salukis in the past four seasons. Gorman currently holds 175 consecutive starts in her career, all at shortstop. She has been a consistent hitter for the Salukis as well, holding a lifetime .324 batting average and has had an average above .300 in three of her four years. She currently holds a .352 batting average, third-best on the team, leads in doubles (11), and has one home run.
RUNNING AWAY WITH THE RECORD - AGAIN
Mallory Duran-Sellers is close to breaking the runs scored record for the second-consecutive year. She broke the previous record of 50 set by Becky Lis in 1997 last season when she scored 54 runs. She is already at 46 runs scored with 16 regular season games left. She currently holds a career total of 143 runs scored and will make a run for the record of 159 set by Colleen Holloway from 1990-93.
