May 7, 2005

By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com

Box Score

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Cassidy Scoggins' three-hit shutout and four Saluki home runs carried Southern Illinois (45-10, 23-3 MVC) to a 15-0 rout of Indiana State (11-29, 6-20 MVC) on Saturday and a second straight MVC regular season title in the process.

The Salukis completed a sweep at Price Field, tied the school record of 45 wins, improved the SIU and Valley-record to 23 league wins in a season, but most importantly won their second straight MVC title after 11 years without an MVC championship.

"It's huge. We went so long without winning an MVC title and now we've won back-to-back titles. I'm really proud of the kids. The offense hit the ball very well. All year long they've battled and it's been fun to watch. It's special, but the team looked at it as another game," said a happy Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach.

"I'm really proud that we've won 23 Valley games and it's never been done before. At one time we were 5-6, and I can't believe this team is 40-4 since, which is indescribable at the level of ball we're playing. When the year is over I'll enjoy it and tell them about all the great things they're done, but right now we still have work to do."

Scoggins struck out six without a walk, dominating the Sycamores. She allowed just three hits, but more importantly, no runs for the sixth straight start. Scoggins allowed just one batter to reach third base, improving to 20-3 with a 0.50 ERA and nine shutouts. Due to a couple wild pitches, Scoggins wasn't happy with her performance, but Blaylock was.

"Sometimes as a pitcher you think it would be easy to get comfortable with a big lead, but it's hard to stay in the game mentally. I thought she did a good job today. Cassidy wasn't happy with her performance, but it's a learning experience, and she'll get better from it," commented Blaylock.

After a scoreless first inning, SIU sent 13 batters to the plate in the second inning, scoring seven runs on six hits and an error to take control of the game.

Katie Jordan led off with a single. Pinch-runner Christina Andrews scored on Chelsea Petty's sixth home run, a two-run shot to right field with one out, for a 2-0 SIU lead. Katie Louis followed with a single and she scored on an RBI-double by Lauren Haas for a 3-0 advantage. Amanda Clifton reached on an error and Haas scored from second base for a 4-0 lead. Clare Ford came in to run for Clifton and Krystal Stein singled to chase Indiana State starter Natalie Kopp after 1.1 innings of work.

ISU reliever Jessica McGivney didn't fare any better. SIU's Lauren Roney walked to load the bases and Kelly Creek's two-RBI single drove in Ford and Stein for a 6-0 lead. Jordan walked in her second at bat of the inning to load the bases. Maria Damico's fielder's choice drove in Roney for a 7-0 advantage.

SIU added four more runs in the third inning, sending nine more hitters to the plate. Haas opened the frame with her sixth home run, a deep shot to left field. Clifton doubled, chasing ISU's McGivney from the game for Julie Damico, the younger sister of Southern's Maria Damico.

The Salukis didn't cut Damico any slack. After an out and a Samantha Carter walk, Ashley Hamby crushed a three-run home run, her third, to center field for a 11-0 SIU advantage after three innings.

Southern Illinois followed with four more runs in the fourth inning, to finish with its second best total of the year. Haas opened the inning with another double and scored when Alex Pepin reached on an error. Hamby singled with two outs and Jordan made history with a three-run home run to left field, giving SIU the final 15-0 margin on her 38th career homer, a school and new MVC record (Stacy Rybar, Creighton, 37).

"Katie's a great kid. She has battled some adversity this season with her shoulder, which has kept her off of the field everyday, but she has really hit the ball this year as a designated player. I'm really proud of her and all that she's accomplished," Blaylock commented.

ISU Kopp (1-7) allowed five hits and six runs to suffer the loss. McGivney allowed three walks, runs and hits in two-thirds of an inning. Julie Damico struck out one, walked one and allowed six hits and six runs, but held her sister, Maria, to no hits in two at bats in the sibling rivalry.

SIU hit four or more home runs in a game for the fifth time this season. The Salukis totaled 14 hits for the third time this season, which is second most in a game this year.

The Saluki offensive outburst was led by Haas (3-for-3, 2 doubles, 3 runs, HR, 2 RBI), Jordan (3-for-3, HR, 3 RBI), Petty (2-for-2, HR, double, 2 RBI), Hamby (2-for-2, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBI) and Creek (1-for-2, 2 RBI).

Southern Illinois will wrap up the series MVC regular season on Sunday at 12 p.m. with a single game.