Bright future for women's softball

J.D. Wright

Daily Egyptian

There is no crying in softball.

Especially when the Saluki softball team ended the season as well as they did.

Last year, the team was led by head coach Kerri Blaylock and four seniors in Karrie Fortman, Tahira Saafir, Elissa Hopkins and Jen Guenther.

This season, the Salukis are going to have to top last year's record of 31-17, 17-7 in the Mississippi Valley Conference and 16-3 at home.

But the women will not have to fret about playing at the inadequate IAW Fields from now on. The Salukis are expecting to get a brand new dawg house this season.

"I think words can't say how excited we are," Blaylock said. "It's going to be great."

The new stadium will be inaugurated on Feb. 28 when Syracuse comes to Carbondale for the home opener.

The young Saluki squad is ready for action and with only three seniors this year, the team knows it has a bright future.

The girls are also expecting six new recruits for this season and spirits seem rather high.

"We're really excited about these new kids coming in this year," Blaylock said.

Seniors Renee Mueller, Katie Kloess and Kendra Moore are expected to lead the team to that elusive MVC championship this season. Other players who will be counted on are sophomores Maria Damico, Kelly Creek, Katie Jordan, staff ace Amy Harre and juniors Adie and Haley Viefhaus.

"We got a really good class," Blaylock said. "They have performed above all expectations."

Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM

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