SIU's Jones becomes all-time wins leader in softball
Dawgs roll past SEMO Tuesday, 9-3
BY will becque saluki media relations
CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. - Brianna Jones passed Amy Harre to become SIU's all-time career wins leader after the Salukis (27-10) pounded out three home runs to defeat the SEMO Redhawks, 9-3 Tuesday evening at Southeast Softball Complex.
Jones came on in relief of starter Claire Miller with two outs in the third and tossed four and two third innings and allowed just two runs on two hits while striking out three. She improved to 18-6 on the season with the victory, and earned career win No. 85 to pass Harre for the most in program history.
"I don't think Bri understands the qualify of pitchers that she passed," 20th-year head coach Kerri Blaylocksaid. "Amy Harre was the No. 1 pick in the professional softball draft, Cassidy Scoggins, Erin Stremsterfer and Jamie Schuttek are all Saluki Hall of Famers. Bri is the most humble kid and is such a great teammate. She didn't even know that she was about to become the all-time wins leader, but that is what makes her so special and so great because she doesn't get caught up in anything."
Southern used three home runs- two two-runs shots- one from Jenny Jansen and another from Ashley Woodas well as a solo home run by Kyleigh Decker to do most of its damage. SIU improved to 4-0 in nonconference midweek games this season and posted another Top-60 RPI win, as SEMO came in ranked No. 58.
"This is one of the best wins we have had all year," Blaylock said. "I don't think our team realizes it, but SEMO is a quality ballclub. They are playing extremely well right now. I just thought our kids came down and had a mentality about them and did a great job."
Southern got out to an early lead thanks to a four-run top of the first inning. Maddy Veremjan was drilled by a pitch and Jenny Jansen brought her in to score with her fifth home run of the season, a two-run shot to left center. Southern continued to pour it on, as an RBI-single by Jordan Spicer brought two more in.
"The four run first was huge, but we need to remember to keep plugging," Blaylock said. "When you're playing a team like SEMO, they can easily come back. Jen got after them a little bit about continuing to make adjustments offensively because when you're facing multiple pitchers you have to be able to do that."
SEMO got a run back in the bottom of the first on an RBI-single of its own. Both teams posted zeros in the second and third innings before a two-run home run by the Redhawks made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth.
Southern caught two-out lightning in the top of the fifth. Megan Brown roped a single and Ashley Woodfollowed with her eighth home run of the season to give SIU a 6-3 lead.
SIU plated two more in the sixth. Kyleigh Decker led off with her seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to right. After walks to Vermejan and Jansen, Katelyn Massa brought Vermejan in with an RBI-single.
Jones was cruising at that point, as she needed just five pitches to get out of the sixth. The Salukis added another run in the seventh after a double steal forced an overthrow into centerfield.
A pair of Salukis tallied multiple hits in the win. Brown went 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Spicer was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Eight of SIU's nine starters notched at least one base hit.
Southern improved to 23-4 on the season when scoring first and are now 15-0 when scoring six or more runs.
The Salukis, winners of four-straight and 14 of their last 15, are back in action this weekend at Loyola. Southern will play one game Friday at 2 p.m. and will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m.