Feb. 23, 2007

North Carolina Box Score
Hofstra Box Score

By Matt Crouch
www.SIUSalukis.com

COLUMBUS, Ga. - The No. 24 Southern Illinois University softball (10-2) team used a pair of solid pitching performances by Cassidy Scoggins and Ashley Hamby, along with five opponent errors to go 2-0 in the first day of the NFCA Leadoff Classic.

The Salukis picked up a 3-2 win over North Carolina (6-7) in their first game of the day before shutting out Hofstra (4-5) in the second game, 1-0.

"I think it's huge at a tournament like this to start off well. There are so many good teams that you don't want to get yourself in a hole. I thought we had two really good pitching performances and our offense came through when it needed to," said SIU head coach Kerri Blaylock.

Good pitching and low scoring games seemed to be a trend in Southern's pool on Friday. Auburn beat North Carolina 3-0 in the opening game. The AU-UNC game went to an eighth inning after the first seven innings finished in a scoreless tie.

Auburn again played in an extra-inning game after its matchup with Michigan finished seven innings in a scoreless tie. Michigan ended up winning 5-1 in the eighth inning.

In the final game of the day, Michigan improved to 2-0 in the tournament along with SIU by beating Hofstra 1-0.

"Our pool has tremendous pitchers. Wilson from Michigan, Currie from Auburn and Nroris from North Carolina are some of the best pitchers that we will see all year," said Blaylock.

With the solid pitching efforts from everyone in the pool, Blaylock was pleased with the way that SIU adjusted to its opponents.

"In the first game, I thought we made some really good adjustments. it took us longer to make those adjustments in the second game, but we still got there," said Blaylock. "The thing about Hofstra is that they are one of the most well-coached teams in the country, so they make you play really well to beat them."

Ashley Hamby led Southern in the circle, picking up an win and a save with seven strikeouts on the day. Her 1-0 win over Hofstra is SIU's first shutout win of the season.

Southern Illinois wraps up group play on Saturday with games against Southeastern Conference member Auburn and No. 31-ranked Michigan.

The first pitch in the SIU-Auburn game is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. ET on Field 4 at the South Commons Complex. The Salukis will follow up with a 3:30 p.m. ET game against No. 13 Michigan, also on Field 4.

"It's going to be a tough day. We're playing the No. 13 team in the country and we are playing Auburn, who is a tough SEC team. We are going to have to come out focused and ready to play," said Blaylock.

Southern Illinois 3, North Carolina 2
In the first game of the day for SIU, the Salukis took down Atlantic Coast Conference member North Carolina, 3-2. The loss was the second of the day for the Tar Heels as they fell 3-0 to Auburn in the previous game, having to go eight innings in the contest.

UNC put the first run on the board with a solo home run by Cassie Palmer in the top of the third inning.

The Tar Heels did not keep the lead for long, though, as Southern bounced back in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game, 1-1.

Care Ford scored the game-tying run as she was pinch-running for Amanda Clifton after she reached on a fielder's choice.

The Salukis loaded the bases with Katie Wagner picking up a single and a North Carolina error, setting the stage for Ford to score after Becky Wegmann drew a walk.

With the score tied after four, Southern bounced right back in the bottom of the fifth inning to take its first lead of the game.

Tiffanie Dismore hit a lead-off double to begin the inning and advanced to third base on an error by UNC's Ashley Oxendine. But, it was another Tar Heel error that would really spell trouble for North Carolina as the next at bat saw Alicia Garza each on an error by first baseman Jennifer Jacobs, scoring Dismore and giving SIU the 2-1 lead.

Garza would later score on a single by Amanda Clifton to put the Salukis up 3-2 after five innings.

Whitney Gelin tried to get UNC going in the top of the seventh inning, leading off with a solo home run, but it was not enough as Southern Illinois was able to hold for the 3-2 win.

Lisa Norris takes the loss for UNC, falling to 4-5 on the season. She gave up six hits, three runs and three walks while striking out five.

Cassidy Scoggins got the start and the win for SIU, improving to 4-1 on the season. In her six innings of action, she gave up six hits, two runs and a walk while striking out three Tar Heels.

Ashley Hamby relieved Scoggins in the seventh inning, following Gelin's home run, and earns her first save of the season. She faced six batters, walking two and striking out one.

Southern Illinois 1, Hofstra 0
The Salukis did not get much of a break following their 3-2 win over UNC as they were right back in action in the next game of the day against Hofstra.

The matchup against SIU was the first for the day for the Pride. Hofstra remained on the field following the game to take on No. 13 Michigan, losing 1-0.

SIU and Hofstra battled through a seven-inning pitcher's duel with Hamby coming out the victor in the end. She threw a two-hitter in the game, the fewest hits that she has given up in a start this season.

After six scoreless innings, Southern scored what would end up being the game-winning run in the top of the seventh.

Garza led off the inning with a hard-hit shot to the third-baseman, Laura Jazheimer.

An error by Hofstra pitcher Joanna Kralowetz allowed Lauren Haas to reach base and move Garza to second.

A Clifton sacrifice bunt allowed Garza to move to third and eventually score on a fielder's choice by Wagner.

Wagner swung and hit the ball back to the shortstop, moving the runners. Hofstra shortstop Pam Dreslinski made the throw home to get Garza out, but she was too quick and made the tag at home before Hofstra catcher Carolann Lubach could get her out.

The lone run proved to be all SIU would need as Hofstra went three up, three down in the bottom of the seventh to give the Salukis the win.

Courtney Oliver and Kralowetz split time in the circle for Hofstra, giving up four hits, a run and five walks. The duo also struck out eight Salukis.

Hamby improves to 5-1 on the season with the complete-game win. She gave up only two hits and no walks while striking out six.