Creighton University
#18/20 Southern Illinois
No. 18 SIU Takes Series Opener From Softball, 3-1
3/31/2007 3:00:00 AM | Softball
OMAHA, Neb. An evenly matched game between 18th-ranked Southern Illinois and Creighton was decided by a pair of unearned runs in the second inning as the Salukis extended their winning streak to 10 games with a 3-1 win in the series opener on Saturday at the CU Sports Complex. SIU (28-6) remained the only unbeaten Missouri Valley Conference team, improving to 9-0 in Valley action, dropping the Bluejays (24-7) to 6-1 in conference play. Game two of the scheduled doubleheader was postponed by rain, forcing a Sunday doubleheader which will begin at 11 a.m.
Jayme Wamsley reached base on a throwing error by Bailey Dawson to lead off the second inning. A walk to Katie Wilson put two runners on and with two outs Becky Wegmann drilled a ground rule double to left center field to drive in the first two runs of the game. Both runs were unearned as a result of the error.
The Salukis moved their lead to 3-0 when Wamsley sent a home run over the left center field fence to lead off the fourth inning.
Creighton answered the solo shot in the top of the fourth, with a solo blast in the bottom of the frame. Junior college All-American TJ Eadus hit her team-leading 10th home run of the inning to deep right field to cut the score to 3-1 SIU.
The Bluejays put the tying run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but pinch-hitter Renae Sinkler struck out to end the game.
SIU ace and 2006 MVC Pitcher of the Year Cassidy Scoggins held the Jays to four hits, two coming off the bat of Caitlin Marcano. The Saluki right-hander struck out eight, walked none and allowed just one run to move to 14-3 on the year. The fourth inning run by the Jays ended a 27 inning scoreless streak by Scoggins.
CU freshman Tara Oltman suffered the loss for the Jays, snapping her personal nine-game winning streak. The rookie dropped to 14-3 this spring, but allowed only one earned run in defeat. SIU managed four hits and Oltman walked one and struck out seven.
The game started 19 minutes early in an effort to get ahead of predicted afternoon rain. The 87 minute game ended before rain moved in, but storms rolled in before the teams were able to start game two.
Creighton will look to get back on the winning track with the Sunday doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. The Bluejay Buddy Clinic will go on as scheduled following the conclusion of game two.
