Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Friday, April 14
Chicago, IL
2 p.m.
Southern Illinois University
at
Loyola University Chicago
SIU vs. Loyola preview
04/13/2017 | 12:48:00 | Softball
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (21-18) Â vs. LOYOLA UNIVERSITY (18-18)
Video | Â ESPN3
Audio |  Friday  //  Saturday
Stats |  Game 1  //  Game 2  //  Game 3
CHICAGO, ILL. - The Southern Illinois University softball team heads north for a three game series with Loyola University this weekend. It is the fifth Missouri Valley Conference series for the Salukis.Â
Southern is coming off a midweek game against Southeast Missouri State. The team defeated SEMO, 3-1, and had ten hits in the game. Nicole Doyle got the start for the Salukis and pitched six innings, while only giving up two hits. The victory was the 21st of the season and the team's fourth win in their last six games.Â
SIU enters this weekend's conference series in a four-way tie for second place. The team currently sports an 8-4 MVC record, winning three of the four series they've played. In their last conference action the team went to Northern Iowa, winning one of three games. This weekend's opponent, Loyola, is currently in last place, having won only one game thus far in conference play.Â
MVC STANDINGS
SALUKIS IN THE RANKINGS
The Dawgs have been on a hot streak lately that has catapulted them into the top ten rankings in many statical categories in the conference. Through 12 games this year SIU is in the top five in on base percentage, runs scored, hits, runs batted in, doubles, home runs, walks (1st), stolen bases, ERA, opposing batting average, strikeouts, pitching wins, hits allowed, and runs allowed. Southern also is tied for second for the most wins in the conference. The only team with more is last year's conference champion, Wichita State.
SENIORS LEADING THE WAY
Shaye Harre and Merri Anne Patterson are getting it done at the plate this year for SIU. The duo have driven in a combined 56 runs, while both are sporting a battting average of .300 plus. They have been a major catalyst for the Saluki offense not only with driving in runs, but also getting on base. Since conference season started both players have an on base percentage above .400, meaning they both are getting on base around half the time they step up to the plate. Harre leads the team in walks this season with 44, 21 coming from conference play alone. Both numbers are the best in the valley and some of the best in the nation. Harre has consistently been inside the top ten in the country in walks per game, averaging more than one. Patterson on the other hand has only ten walks on the season. The way Patterson has been reaching base is by hitting. After Wednesday's game against SEMO, Patterson has 38 hits and 14 extra base hits, both rank No. 2 on the team. Patterson also lead the team in total bases this season with 61.Â
FRESHMEN COMING THROUGH IN MVC PLAY
This season three freshmen have found significant playing time for SIU. Maddy Vermejan, Susie Baranski, and Katelyn Massa have all started every conference game for the maroon and white. These three players currently take three of the top four spots in batting average in conference play, with Vermejan leading the pack, hitting .464. The three ladies have scored 21 of the teams 61 runs and driven in 30 of the team's 56 RBIs. Baranski has won newcomer of the week honors in the valley twice, while Massa has one the award once. All three Salukis also have perfect fielding percentages.Â
SCOUTING LOYOLA
The Ramblers enter this weekend's season with a 1-11 conference record. Their lone MVC win came against Wichita State back on April 4th. Since that game, LU has lost three in a row at home to Illinois State. The Ramblers were outscored 20 to two by the Redbirds, including being run ruled in game three. Loyola has six players on their roster batting .250 or better and has two pitchers that have at least seven wins.Â
Last season the Salukis swept the Ramblers in Carbondale, holding them to only three runs the entire weekend.Â
The teams are scheduled to play two on Friday, starting at 12 p.m., and finish the series on Saturday, playing one game at 11 a.m.
Video | Â ESPN3
Audio |  Friday  //  Saturday
Stats |  Game 1  //  Game 2  //  Game 3
CHICAGO, ILL. - The Southern Illinois University softball team heads north for a three game series with Loyola University this weekend. It is the fifth Missouri Valley Conference series for the Salukis.Â
Southern is coming off a midweek game against Southeast Missouri State. The team defeated SEMO, 3-1, and had ten hits in the game. Nicole Doyle got the start for the Salukis and pitched six innings, while only giving up two hits. The victory was the 21st of the season and the team's fourth win in their last six games.Â
SIU enters this weekend's conference series in a four-way tie for second place. The team currently sports an 8-4 MVC record, winning three of the four series they've played. In their last conference action the team went to Northern Iowa, winning one of three games. This weekend's opponent, Loyola, is currently in last place, having won only one game thus far in conference play.Â
MVC STANDINGS
| Illinois State | 9-3 | 19-17 |
| Wichita State | 8-4 | 23-14 |
| Missouri State | 8-4 | 20-13 |
| UNI | 8-4 | 20-15 |
| Southern Illinois | 8-4 | 21-18 |
| Evansville | 7-5 | 16-22 |
| Bradley | 5-7 | 19-20 |
| Drake | 3-9 | 20-19 |
| Indiana State | 3-9 | 18-19 |
| Loyola | 1-11 | 18-18 |
SALUKIS IN THE RANKINGS
The Dawgs have been on a hot streak lately that has catapulted them into the top ten rankings in many statical categories in the conference. Through 12 games this year SIU is in the top five in on base percentage, runs scored, hits, runs batted in, doubles, home runs, walks (1st), stolen bases, ERA, opposing batting average, strikeouts, pitching wins, hits allowed, and runs allowed. Southern also is tied for second for the most wins in the conference. The only team with more is last year's conference champion, Wichita State.
SENIORS LEADING THE WAY
Shaye Harre and Merri Anne Patterson are getting it done at the plate this year for SIU. The duo have driven in a combined 56 runs, while both are sporting a battting average of .300 plus. They have been a major catalyst for the Saluki offense not only with driving in runs, but also getting on base. Since conference season started both players have an on base percentage above .400, meaning they both are getting on base around half the time they step up to the plate. Harre leads the team in walks this season with 44, 21 coming from conference play alone. Both numbers are the best in the valley and some of the best in the nation. Harre has consistently been inside the top ten in the country in walks per game, averaging more than one. Patterson on the other hand has only ten walks on the season. The way Patterson has been reaching base is by hitting. After Wednesday's game against SEMO, Patterson has 38 hits and 14 extra base hits, both rank No. 2 on the team. Patterson also lead the team in total bases this season with 61.Â
FRESHMEN COMING THROUGH IN MVC PLAY
This season three freshmen have found significant playing time for SIU. Maddy Vermejan, Susie Baranski, and Katelyn Massa have all started every conference game for the maroon and white. These three players currently take three of the top four spots in batting average in conference play, with Vermejan leading the pack, hitting .464. The three ladies have scored 21 of the teams 61 runs and driven in 30 of the team's 56 RBIs. Baranski has won newcomer of the week honors in the valley twice, while Massa has one the award once. All three Salukis also have perfect fielding percentages.Â
SCOUTING LOYOLA
The Ramblers enter this weekend's season with a 1-11 conference record. Their lone MVC win came against Wichita State back on April 4th. Since that game, LU has lost three in a row at home to Illinois State. The Ramblers were outscored 20 to two by the Redbirds, including being run ruled in game three. Loyola has six players on their roster batting .250 or better and has two pitchers that have at least seven wins.Â
Last season the Salukis swept the Ramblers in Carbondale, holding them to only three runs the entire weekend.Â
The teams are scheduled to play two on Friday, starting at 12 p.m., and finish the series on Saturday, playing one game at 11 a.m.
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/INF
/ Softball
C/DP
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
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