Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball travels to Saint Louis for doubleheader Wednesday
04/03/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 3, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois softball team travels to Saint Louis, Mo. to face Saint Louis University in a non-conference doubleheader Wednesday.
Southern Illinois Salukis (20-9, 7-2 MVC) vs. Saint Louis Billikens (16-18, 3-3 A-10)
Games 30-31 • 3 & 5 p.m. • St. Louis, Mo (Billikens Sports Center)
Radio: GameCentral on SIUSalukis.com with Patrick Erickson
Video: None
Stats: Gametracker from SIUSalukis.com
SERIES HISTORY
All-time history
The Dawgs have the advantage in the series 40-2 and have not dropped a contest to the Billikens since 2003. The two teams met last season at Charlotte West Stadium as the Dawgs swept the doubleheader in 3-2, 5-1 wins.
WEATHER
Wednesday: High: 73˚, scattered thunderstorms (70%)
ON DECK: SAINT LOUIS (16-18, 3-3 A-10)
The Billikens are just under .500 coming into Wednesday's doubleheader as they split Atlantic 10 games with St. Bonaventure on Sunday and went 4-4 in action in the past two weeks. They struggle on offense as they hold just a .230 team batting average led by junior outfielder Jessica Buschjost. Buschjost holds a .306 batting average, three doubles, seven RBI and is 25-for-27 in stolen bases. In the circle, the load is split among three pitchers as Hannah Huebbe holds the only winning record at 9-7 with a 3.12 ERA and has appeared in 20 games this season. SLU is familiar with Missouri Valley Conference oppponents this season as they have gone 2-4 against Wichita State, Indiana State, Missouri State, and Illinois State. The Billkens are led by former Saluki assistant coach Christy Connoyer in her second year at the helm.
SALUKIS TAKE SERIES FROM REDBIRDS
The Salukis took sole possession of third place in the MVC with a 2-1 rubber match win over Illinois State Sunday. It's the first time the Salukis took the series win since 2008 as Alyssa Wunderlich earned her eighth win of the season and moved to 3-0 in conference action. The Salukis took the lead in the fifth off a Haley Gorman RBI double and Redbird error as Katie Bertelsen came in to strike out the final batter in her third save of the season. The two teams split Saturday's doubleheader as the Redbirds won game one (5-0) and the Salukis took game two (6-1).
WUNDERLICH STEPS UP
Freshman pitcher Alyssa Wunderlich nearly went the distance in the series finale against Illinois State as she earned her eighth win of the season and third win in conference action. She went 6.2 innings in the contest, striking out three as the Dawgs took the series. The Naperville, Ill., native was impressive in three appearances last week she held a .086 ERA in 11.1 innings and also earned a save.
GORMAN COMES THROUGH
Senior shortstop Haley Gorman came through in the bottom of the fifth Sunday against Illinois State with a RBI double to tie the game. The Arcadia, Calif., native has had a hit in nine of the last 12 games and ranks third on the team with a .347 batting average and leads the team with nine doubles.
MIDWEEK MAGIC
The Dawgs were 5-2 in midweek non-conference games in 2011 and looking to recreate that success as they begin that part of their schedule in April. They are already 1-0 in midweek games with a win at SIUE on March 27.
JUMP IN RPI
With two wins over Illinois State this weekend the Salukis jumped 20 spots in the RPI rankings, which were released Monday. The Salukis ranked 70th in the first rankings that came out last week but moved up to 50th after the weekend series.
