Friday, February 21
Fort Myers, Fla.
4:45 p.m. ET
Southern Illinois University
4-5
4
vs
1
Fordham University
1-10
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Southern Illinois
0
0
2
0
0
2
0
4
4
0
Fordham
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
4
0
Salukis open FGCU Classic with 4-1 win over Fordham
02/21/2020 | 8:50:00 | Softball
FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Southern Illinois softball program extended its win streak to four games with a 4-1 win over Fordham on Friday evening at the FGCU Classic in Fort Myers, Fla.
"I am glad to win a game with only one run given up," 21st-year head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "I believe we have the type of team that can win low scoring games. It was nice to see us do that today."
Sarah Harness (3-3) was dominant in the circle for SIU (4-5), as she pitched a complete game and struck out a career-high 13 batters. The freshman limited the Rams (1-10) to just one run on four hits and one walk. She allowed only three batters to reach base from the third inning on.
The Bowling Green, Mo. native surpassed her previous high in strikeouts (7) after four innings with eight. Harness recorded multiple strikeouts in five of the seven innings.
"Sarah was in command all night," Blaylock said. "I think her command led to the high strikeout total. She just located the ball really well and had a great presence in the circle."
The Saluki offense matched the Rams hit total (4), but all four went for extra bases. Down 1-0 in the third inning, Jenny Jansen put Southern back in front with a two-run double that scored pinch-runner Aubree DePron and Maddy Vermejan.
SIU extended its 2-1 lead in the sixth inning with back-to-back home runs from Ashley Wood and Katelyn Massa. It was the first home run of the season for each hitter.
"They both were really frustrated with themselves offensively, but they stuck to the plan given by coach Jen Sewell," Blaylock said. "I thought they did a great job today and the work they are putting in is starting to pay off."
Fordham threatened one last time in the bottom of the sixth with consecutive singles, but Harness recorded a strikeout and groundout to end the inning.
Rams pitcher Devon Miller took the loss, as she was tagged for four runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. Makenzie McGrath kept Southern scoreless in the remaining 1.2 innings in the circle.
Maddy Vermejan reached base a team-high three times on walks. As a team, SIU drew seven free bases —six walks and one hit by pitch.
For the third-straight game, the Saluki defense had no errors. SIU has committed just four errors through its first nine games
The Salukis continue play at the FGCU Classic tomorrow with games against Harvard (10:15 a.m. CT) and Michigan State (2:45 p.m. CT).
"We need to continue to take it one game at a time," Blaylock said. "The focus turns to tomorrow against Harvard and Michigan State."
Other notes: SIU allowed a season-low in hits with four … SIU had a season-high in strikeouts (13) ... Aubree DePron stole her first career base ... Harness has allowed one earned run in her last three starts … Harness allowed no extra-base hits against Fordham … Harness has walked two or less in all seven appearances … Jansen has collected two RBIs in two-straight games … Coach Blaylock is three wins shy of 700 for her career.
"I am glad to win a game with only one run given up," 21st-year head coach Kerri Blaylock said. "I believe we have the type of team that can win low scoring games. It was nice to see us do that today."
Sarah Harness (3-3) was dominant in the circle for SIU (4-5), as she pitched a complete game and struck out a career-high 13 batters. The freshman limited the Rams (1-10) to just one run on four hits and one walk. She allowed only three batters to reach base from the third inning on.
The Bowling Green, Mo. native surpassed her previous high in strikeouts (7) after four innings with eight. Harness recorded multiple strikeouts in five of the seven innings.
"Sarah was in command all night," Blaylock said. "I think her command led to the high strikeout total. She just located the ball really well and had a great presence in the circle."
The Saluki offense matched the Rams hit total (4), but all four went for extra bases. Down 1-0 in the third inning, Jenny Jansen put Southern back in front with a two-run double that scored pinch-runner Aubree DePron and Maddy Vermejan.
SIU extended its 2-1 lead in the sixth inning with back-to-back home runs from Ashley Wood and Katelyn Massa. It was the first home run of the season for each hitter.
"They both were really frustrated with themselves offensively, but they stuck to the plan given by coach Jen Sewell," Blaylock said. "I thought they did a great job today and the work they are putting in is starting to pay off."
Fordham threatened one last time in the bottom of the sixth with consecutive singles, but Harness recorded a strikeout and groundout to end the inning.
Rams pitcher Devon Miller took the loss, as she was tagged for four runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. Makenzie McGrath kept Southern scoreless in the remaining 1.2 innings in the circle.
Maddy Vermejan reached base a team-high three times on walks. As a team, SIU drew seven free bases —six walks and one hit by pitch.
For the third-straight game, the Saluki defense had no errors. SIU has committed just four errors through its first nine games
The Salukis continue play at the FGCU Classic tomorrow with games against Harvard (10:15 a.m. CT) and Michigan State (2:45 p.m. CT).
"We need to continue to take it one game at a time," Blaylock said. "The focus turns to tomorrow against Harvard and Michigan State."
Other notes: SIU allowed a season-low in hits with four … SIU had a season-high in strikeouts (13) ... Aubree DePron stole her first career base ... Harness has allowed one earned run in her last three starts … Harness allowed no extra-base hits against Fordham … Harness has walked two or less in all seven appearances … Jansen has collected two RBIs in two-straight games … Coach Blaylock is three wins shy of 700 for her career.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Harness, Sarah (3-3)
L: MILLER, Devon (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Jansen, Jenny 1 ; Brown, Megan 1
HR: Massa, Katelyn 1 ; Wood, Ashley 1
RBI: Jansen, Jenny 2 ; Massa, Katelyn 1 ; Wood, Ashley 1
SH: Baranski, Susie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vermejan, Maddy 1 ; Massa, Katelyn 1 ; Wood, Ashley 1 ; DePron, Aubree 1
SB: DePron, Aubree 1
HBP: Sikes, Sidney 1
Batting:
SH: BARNEY, Aubree 1
Base Running:
RUNS: CARTER, Michaela 1
SB: PINTO, Brianna 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF/OF
/ Softball
C/DP
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
IF
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