Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Saluki Softball opens fall season on Sunday
09/12/2019 | 4:05:00 | Softball
Sunday's doubleheader is the first of four-straight weekend doubleheaders for the Salukis.
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois University softball team opens its fall season with a double header at Charlotte West Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 15 against in-state foes John A. Logan College and Rend Lake College.
Sunday's doubleheader will be the first of four-straight weekend doubleheaders for the Salukis, who are coming off a historic 2019 season in which they went 34-15, advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in program history and won a NCAA Regional game for the 10th time in school history, and the first time since 2007.
Southern tied the school record for on-base percentage (.402) and posted both the second-best batting average (.303) and slugging percentage (.458) in program history. SIU's batting average was its best since 1994 while its slugging percentage was its highest since 2005. The 2019 Salukis also broke the school record for fielding percentage (.979) and committed the fewest errors (29) in program history.
"Last year was really special," head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "It was probably one of the most special seasons I have ever had. We have to put last season to rest and refocus with a new team. We have new people and new things happening. I'm really proud of our kids for understanding that we have to leave last season behind and start a new journey this year. Our leadership has done a really good job of welcoming the freshmen and getting them ready to go. We are excited to step on the field."
The Salukis graduated just two seniors a year ago in four-time All-MVC pitcher Brianna Jones and 2019 All-MVC second team selection Jordan Spicer.
Jones left SIU as one of the most accomplished pitchers in program history, as she holds the school records for career wins, innings pitched and appearances. Spicer, on the other hand, did significant damage at the dish in MVC games last season, as she sported a .727 slugging percentage with six home runs and 14 RBI in league play.
Taking up the mantle for Jones will be returning pitchers Claire Miller and Holly Marousek as well as a pair of highly-touted freshmen in Carlee Jo Clark and Sarah Harness.
Miller went 8-3 in the circle with a 3.17 earned run average in her first season at the NCAA DI level, while Marousek went 2-1 with a save in 12 appearances in her first season as a Saluki.
Offensively, nearly all of Southern's firepower returns in 2020. In fact, 91.3% of its 383 hits from a year ago including 92.3% of its extra base hits return.
The returners are led by NFCA All-Region selections Ashley Wood, Maddy Vermejan, Katelyn Massa and Jenny Jansen.
Wood became the first Saluki since 2003 to win the league's Freshman of the Year award after she led all first-years in home runs, RBI, batting average and on-base percentage. Vermejan was the only second baseman nationally with a 1.000% fielding percentage while Massa was the league's Defensive Player of the Year and became just the second catcher in program history to earn three-straight all-conference nods. Jansen, meanwhile, had a breakout sophomore campaign in which she became the first Saluki to hit over .400 for a season since 1996.
SIU will welcome five newcomers to the mix in Clark, Kerrigan Gamm, Aubree Depron, Harness and Tori Schullian. Blaylock and her staff's goals for the fall are simple.
"We want to see everyone play and get everyone some game action," Blaylock said. "As we progress through the fall season, we will spread out the innings and give some players more chances."
Southern's fall season kicks off Sunday against Rend Lake (12 p.m.) and John A. Logan (2 p.m.). SIU will take on Lake Land (12 p.m.) and Murray State (4 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 21, before hosting Southeastern Illinois (12 p.m.) and Maryville (2 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Salukis close out their fall schedule against Jefferson Community College (12 p.m.) and UMSL (2 p.m.) on Saturday, Oct. 5.
