Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Softball faces UT Martin, Saint Louis in midweek action
04/09/2012 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 9, 2012
By Megan Kramper
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois softball team has a loaded schedule this week as it hosts UT Martin Tuesday while traveling to Saint Louis Wednesday for a doubleheader in non-conference midweek games.
GAME INFORMATION
Southern Illinois Salukis (22-10, 9-3 MVC) vs. UT Martin Skyhawks (28-13, 17-3 OVC)/Saint Louis Billikens (17-19, 4-4 A-10)
Games 33-35 • Carbondale, Ill. (Charlotte West Stadium) & St. Louis (Billiken Sports Center)
Radio: Game Central on SIUSalukis.com with Patrick Erickson (play-by-play) (all games)
Video: Game Central on SIUSalukis.com (UT Martin only)
Stats: Gametracker from SIUSalukis.com (all games)
SERIES HISTORY
All-time record
vs. UT Martin
The Salukis lead the series 12-4 including a 6-0 win last season in Martin, Tenn. In that game, Danielle Glosson recorded her ninth shutout of the season and Mallory Duran-Sellers had a 2-for-3 performance that helped the Dawgs to victory.
vs. SLU
SIU holds a 40-2 lifetime advantage and haven't lost to the Billikens since 2003. They met last season in a doubleheader which SIU swept at Charlotte West Stadium.
WEATHER
Tuesday: 63˚, sunny
Wednesday: 61˚, sunny
ON DECK: UT MARTIN (28-13, 17-3 OVC)
The Skyhawks have won 10 of their last 11 coming into Tuesday's single game. They dropped the series finale to Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky but still sit atop the league standings. UTM opened up the conference season with a 9-0 start before falling to Murray State. They are led offensively by Leah Taylor (.430 batting average, seven doubles, eight triples, six home runs, 30 RBI), Kayla Wade (.346 batting average, five doubles, three triples, 13 RBI), and Jenny Bain (.302 batting average, 11 doubles, four home runs, 32 RBI). Chelsea Jones leads the pitching staff with a 19-5 record in 29 appearances. She has tossed 22 complete games and two shutouts. In 164.2 innings, the senior ace has 125 strikeouts and has two saves.
ON DECK: SAINT LOUIS (17-19, 4-4 A-10)
The Billikens come into the doubleheader after splitting an Atlantic 10 series with Dayton Saturday. As a team, the Billikens hold a .226 batting average with outfielder Jessica Buschjost anchoring the offense. She holds a .316 batting average with three doubles and seven RBI. Three pitchers split time in the circle with Hannah Huebbe leading the staff with a 10-7 record and 3.05 ERA. The Billlikens are led by a familiar face in Christy Connoyer, who spent five years as an associate/assistant coach for the Salukis from 2005-10.
DAWGS TAKE FOURTH-STRAIGHT MVC SERIES
Despite losing game one, the Salukis battled back with two straight wins over Indiana State Friday and Saturday at Charlotte West Stadium. The Dawgs took their fourth-straight Missouri Valley Conference series this season and currently sit in a tie for second place in the league.
LANG'S TURN
Junior pitcher Brittney Lang paced the Salukis in the circle against Indiana State as she threw her second complete game shutout of the season in a 5-0 game two win Friday. In the game, she had a career-high seven strikeouts and also earned a save in the series finale on Saturday.
CAN'T CATCH ME
Mallory Duran-Sellers used her speed on the base paths this weekend as she went a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen bases against Indiana State and is 11-for-13 overall in that category. The senior outfielder also recorded a .500 batting average (4-for-8) with a double, an RBI, five runs scored and five total bases. She also drew three walks and held a .625 slugging percentage and a .636 on-base percentage.
GOING FOR 475
Head coach Kerri Blaylock is quickly approaching her 475th victory as a win over UT Martin Tuesday would put her at that mark. She is currently owns a 474-216 career record as head coach in her 13th season with Southern Illinois.
MIDWEEK MAGIC
The Dawgs were 5-2 in mid-week 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 mid-week games with a win at SIUE on March 27.
