Softball Opens Season With Two Wins At Triple Crown Invitational
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Feb. 7, 2003
St. Augustine, Fla. - Junior Lindsey Bonnell's two-out, seventh-inning single in Southern Illinois University's final at bat led SIU to a 3-2 comeback win over Central Florida. The win completed a perfect first day at the Triple Crown Invitational. The Salukis shut out Purdue 3-0 to open the season earlier in the day, making head coach Kerri Blaylock 4-0 in season openers. The 2-0 start is the first under Blaylock and first since the 1999 season.
"It's huge to open with two wins after practicing indoors. We played so smart and didn't commit an error and I hope we can continue that tomorrow. We did the little things well and I'm so proud of them. It's a great way to start the season. It was a total team effort. For us to get 15 hits in two games is great. If we can do that in every doubleheader this year we'll be in good shape," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.
Down 2-1 in the seventh, Kelly Creek and Maria Damico singled before Creek was thrown out at third on a fielder's choice by Lauren Roney. Kendra Moore singled with two outs to load the bases before Bonnell singled in the tying and winning runs against UCF (4-3) in game two. Renee Mueller (1-0) picked up the win with 4.2 innings of two-hit relief of starter Katie Kloess.
"Our greatest strength is our depth and versatility. The group that played the second game hit the ball well. UCF was very aggressive and jumped out to a 2-0 after three innings. I was pleased with how Renee Mueller came in and shut them down. She just started pitching three weeks ago due to an injury," added Blaylock.
"Our bottom half of the lineup (Creek, Damico, Roney and Moore) fought to give us a chance to win and Lindsey Bonnell's two-RBI single in the seventh won the game. It was a great comeback and I hope this sets the tone for the season. We came back against a good team that won 46 games last year and we haven't done well in the past and we did a great job today.
In game one, Freshman Katie Louis homered and doubled in her first two college at bats and Amy Harre (1-0) threw a four-hit shut out in SIU's 3-0 win over Purdue (0-1) to open the season.
"To come out and play that way in our first game after practicing indoors most of year was great. Anytime you beat a Big Ten team you have to feel really good. I liked the way we hit the ball. Amy Harre did a great job pitching and Katie Louis stepped up in her first college game and hit a two-run home run in her first college at bat," stated Blaylock.
"Purdue hit the ball well but Amy handled the situations. Jenny Doehring played shortstop flawlessly and it's nice to have someone to cover the ground she covers. That was so impressive for Katie to step up and hit the ball like that. We hit her in the cleanup spot because she can handle the pressure. Adie Viefhaus played well at the plate and behind it as well."
Harre struck out five and walked no one. In addition to Louis' two RBI, Adie Viefhaus drove in Samantha Carter for SIU's final run. Maria Damico threw out the only runner to reach third base in the game from her centerfield position to end the fourth inning and Purdue's lone scoring threat.
The Salukis face Bethune-Cookman at 7:45 a.m. before continuing bracket play against an unknown opponent on Saturday.
SIU finished the 2002 season 31-17 overall and 17-7 in the Missouri Valley Conference.