Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball back in action to host Eastern Illinois Thursday
04/18/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 18, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois softball team steps out of league play to face Eastern Illinois Thursday at Charlotte West Stadium in a 4 p.m. single game.
GAME INFORMATION
Southern Illinois Salukis (27-12, 12-4 MVC) vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers (22-17, 12-6 OVC)
Game 40 • 4 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
SERIES HISTORY
All-time record
The Salukis have a 33-29 lifetime advantage over the Panthers. This includes a win last season in Charleston, Ill., where the Salukis took the nationally-ranked EIU pitching staff, who had an ERA less than 1.00 coming into the game, for two earned runs to win the game 2-0. The Panthers haven't won a game over the Salukis since 2008 when they won 9-1 on their home field and have never won a game at Charlotte West Stadium. The two teams are also meeting in back-to-back years for the first time since 1999-2000.
WEATHER
Tuesday: 78˚, sunny
ON DECK: EASTERN ILLINOIS (22-17, 12-6 OVC)
Freshman shortstop Bailey O'Dell holds a team-best .390 batting average with 53 hits. She owns 19 extra-base shots, including 15 doubles, a triple and three home runs. Returning All-OVC honoree Stephanie Maday leads four EIU pitchers with an 12-9 record off 22 starts and 13 complete games. With just over 150 innings of work, the sophomore has struck out 141 batters, which ranks No. 8 in the single-season EIU record book. She holds the opposition to a .224 batting average, and owns a team-low 2.00 ERA. The Panthers host SEMO in Ohio Valley Conference action Wednesday and have won seven-straight in league play including a sweep of Tennessee Tech last weekend.
VADEBONCOUER IS BACK
Salukis lead RBI producer Allie VadeBoncouer was back in action Tuesday in a doubleheader sweep of Evansville. The righty went 4-for-5 in two games including a three-run home run in the first inning of game two where the Dawgs notched the run-rule win. The Saluki catcher hadn't launched a home run since March 18 against Wichita State.
STRIKING 'EM OUT
Brittney Lang has been the Salukis strikeout pitcher this season as she leads the team in K's this season with 55. She has struck out 13 combined in her last three starts and has set and tied her career-game high of seven twice.
FINALLY COMING OUT ON TOP
The Salukis finally came out on the right side of a come-from-behind win with the game one win over Evansville Tuesday. The Salukis had previously dropped three games in the bottom of the seventh, one to Miami (Ohio) to start the season at the KSU Classic, one to Marist in at the Malihini Kipa Aloha, and one last weekend to Missouri State. The Salukis pushed their only two runs of the game across the final frame to take the 2-1 win over the Purple Aces.
