April 8, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSalukis.com

Game Notes

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki softball team (22-15, 8-3 MVC) takes their season-long seven-game win streak on the road for a midweek game against Evansville (18-12, 4-5 MVC) on Wednesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. at Cooper Stadium.

Southern Illinois enters the single game Wednesday with a five-game Missouri Valley Conference win streak after sweeping Indiana State this past weekend, while the Purple Aces are coming off three-straight loses to Illinois State in conference play.

SIU leads the all-time series with Evansville, 47-16, and has won 10 out of the last 11 meetings during the last four season. Last year, SIU swept the season series with to wins in a doubleheader at Evansville, 3-1 and 6-2, and won the final game at home 3-2.

The Salukis lead the Missouri Valley Conference in batting average (.284) and on-base percentage (.354), but pitching has been the key during the Salukis' win streak.

During the last seven games SIU's three pitchers have only given up two runs on four hits in 48 innings played. In the last five games stretching 41 innings they have been even more dominant without giving up an earned run with 48 strikeouts.

Following the game at Evansville, SIU will continue Valley play on the road with a three-game series at Drake in Des Moines, Iowa Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13.