Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball visits Drake for three-game MVC series
04/20/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 20, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill - The second-place Southern Illinois softball team heads to Des Moines, Iowa, for a three-game Missouri Valley Conference matchup with the fourth-place Drake Bulldogs at Ron Buel Field Saturday and Sunday.
GAME INFORMATION
Southern Illinois Salukis (28-12, 12-4 MVC) vs. Drake Bulldogs (19-22, 10-7 MVC)
Games 41-43 • Des Moines, Iowa (Ron Buel Field)
Radio: Game Central on SIUSalukis.com with Patrick Erickson (play-by-play)
Video: None
Stats: Gametracker from SIUSalukis.com ( Game One | Game Two | Game Three)
SERIES HISTORY
All-time record
SIU leads the series 48-20 and the two teams have split series since 2003 with the Salukis winning every series since that time. The Dawgs last swept the series in 2002 in Des Moines, Iowa. Last season, the Bulldogs took game one of the series to split the Senior Day doubleheader at Charlotte West but the Dawgs retaliated with a 1-0 win on Sunday. The two teams last met in the semifinals of the MVC Tournament where Drake stumped SIU in a 4-1 victory, ending the Salukis season.
WEATHER
Saturday: 66˚, partly cloudy
Sunday: 68˚, mostly sunny
ON DECK: DRAKE (19-22, 10-7 MVC)
The Bulldogs sit in a tie for fourth place heading into the weekend. They won their first five Valley games to start the season but have dropped the last two series to Illinois State and to league-leader UNI. Drake came out of the non-conference portion of its schedule holding a 7-14 record in the first month of the season. Drake is led by freshman utility player Hayley Nybo who holds a .321 batting average, eight doubles, six home runs and 27 RBI. As a team, the Bulldogs hold a .245 batting average which ranks sixth in the league. They also have a whole new look in the circle with Jordan Gronewald leading the way with a 2.76 ERA including a 13-15 record in 36 appearances and 172.1 innings pitched.
LEADING THE LEAGUE
The Salukis are leading the MVC in batting average headed into the final three weeks of play. The Salukis hold a .304 average while second-best Creighton holds a .294. They also lead in slugging percentage (.433) and walks drawn (175). Mallory Duran-Sellers's .380 batting average is third-best individually and Allie VadeBoncouer leads in on-base percentage (.636).
DAWGS POUNCE ON THE PANTHERS
In non-conference action Thursday, the Salukis made quick work of Eastern Illinois as they secured a 10-2 run-rule win in five innings. The Panthers scored first in the second inning with a run but it was all Salukis after that as Katie Bertelsen came in relief of starter Alyssa Wunderlich to hold the Panthers. Allie VadeBoncouer and Taylor Orsburn combined for six of the Salukis' 11 hits in the contest with 3-for-4 performances.
ALL ABOUT ALLIE
Salukis lead RBI producer Allie VadeBoncouer was back to her old self in midweek action Tuesday and Thursday. In a doubleheader sweep of Evansville and single game win over EIU, the sophomore catcher went 7-for-9 including a three-run home run in the first inning of game two against Evansville where the Dawgs issued the run-rule win. The Saluki catcher hadn't launched a home run since March 18 against Wichita State. She continued her hot streak at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance and career-high five RBI in the Salukis' win over EIU.
MVC STANDINGS
Team, MVC Record, Overall Record
1. Northern Iowa (15-1) 31-11
2. Southern Illinois (12-4) 28-12
3. Creighton (10-6) 21-19
T4. Illinois State (10-7) 25-20
T4. Drake (10-7) 19-22
T6. Missouri State (7-9) 19-19
T6. Bradley (7-9) 17-22
T8. Evansville (4-13) 13-28
T8. Wichita State (4-13) 11-32
10. Indiana State (3-13) 16-25
