Cal was 36 - 17, 9-13 in the defunct Pac 12. They were ranked #19 before losing 1st game in their tournament to 7th ranked Stanford. Beat some good teams this year - those California schools are always tough - can play year round too.
They were in the NCAA last year. Lost to Mizzou, beat Hofstra, beat Mizzou, lost to Oklahoma.
For what it's worth (and it's not worth much IMO) they have an RPI of 25. Our RPI is currently 45.
Their best pitchers:
ERA W-L B avg,
Archer, Haylei 2.86 11-6 .247
Roelling, Randi 3.41 13-7 .247
With our two excellent pitchers and excellent hitting and fielding, we can beat anybody. I like this matchup.
Go Dawgs!
What's the most successful athletic program at Southern right now?
It's softball by a mile. That's a great game to watch - fast paced and only 7 innings. We have a bunch of really good players who never say die. Jen Sewell is doing a great job, continuing the great job Blaylock did. I've been to a bunch of softball games this year and loved the action.. And yet?
The coverage of softball on siusalukis.com actually sucks. If the this-year-deficient-baseball team beats the MVC bottom dweller Bradley, it shows up right away. I'm still looking for an article on who the softball Salukis are playing next week -- NADA!
Actually the lead article is about the track team's 3rd place finish. Really?
Who is the Sports Non-information director of this university? Mr. Leonard?
I have to search the net or saluki-insider to get info.
Good stuff here with Luke and members of the team:
https://twitter.com/siu_softball/status/1790427814967275799?s=46&t=7s0hTttieSER8wqRSA0LoA
MVC Softball Scholar Athlete Teams
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Jackie Lis
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete First Team:
Emma Austin, Southern Illinois, Jr., 3.83, healthcare management
Madi Eberle, Southern Illinois, Sr., RHP, 3.8 exercise science
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois, So., SS, 3.95, finance
Elizabeth Warwick, Southern Illinois, Sr., OF, 3.69, finance
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Second Team:
Rylie Hamilton, Southern Illinois
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention:
Bailey Caylor, Southern Illinois
Hannah Hockerman, Southern Illinois
Sidney Jones, Southern Illinois
Congrats to the Salukis!
Looking forward to Friday’s game. Time to make a statement in the Tournament with a big win over Cal.
First game tomorrow has been moved to 11 AM Central. Could be a slight advantage for SIU with that being 9 AM local time in California
Good chance of getting rained out tomorrow in Red Stick. Currently have tornado watch and tomorrow good chance of thunderstorms.
I hope they play today. I’m fully ready for this game to be my ‘work’ for the day.
SIU chases the Cal starter in the 2nd. 1-0 lead and have runners in the corners with 0 outs.
SIU chases the Cal starter in the 2nd. 1-0 lead and have runners in the corners with 0 outs.
Need at least 1 more run this inning. Good opportunity
2-0 SIU, bases still loaded with 0 outs. Cal is having trouble finding the zone
Yet another bases loaded walk. 3-0 SIU and the bases are still loaded with 0 outs
Back to back sac flys for SIU. 5-0 lead with just 1 hit in the inning
#8 hitter for Cal goes deep. Cal right back in this game, 5-3 SIU in the 2nd
Cal is one of the best offensive teams around, but I liked Groff's last inning - 2 Ks. Think she's calming down a bit.
We need more runs though, and I think we can get them from their pitching staff. Cal has a bunch of sluggers. That 2-run HR they hit was a very good pitch - still whacked it over the fence in CF.
