April 29, 2008

By Kyle Herm
www.SIUSaluki.com

Game Notes

CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Saluki softball team (26-22, 12-8 MVC) continues play on the road for a midweek non-conference doubleheader at the University of Illinois (29-28, 8-10 Big Ten) on Wednesday beginning at 4 p.m.

Southern Illinois trails, 7-3, in the all-time series against the Fighting Illini, and fell 3-2 in both games of a doubleheader in the two teams' last meeting on April 27, 2004 in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.

SIU enters the in-state doubleheader with a two-game winning streak after beating Missouri State in the final two games of its three-game series in Springfield, Mo. this past weekend, while Illinois is coming off a doubleheader split against Purdue this past Saturday.

Southern Illinois is currently ranked in the top three in seven offensive statistical categories in the Missouri Valley Conference, and leads the league in doubles (57) and stolen bases (46), while Illinois has been an offensive juggernaut this year as well, topping the Big Ten in seven categories.

The Salukis are 2-0 this season against teams from the Big Ten, after beating Minnesota twice at the season-opening Jacksonville University Tournament in February.

Following the non-conference doubleheader at Illinois, Southern Illinois will play at Bradley this weekend to conclude the regular-season.