April 12, 2005

By Lou Antoine
SIUSalukis.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Following a 4-1 week, which included a doubleheader sweep of SEMO and a 2-1 series win over Wichita State, Southern Illinois (32-9, 10-2 MVC) moved up one spot in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll this week, placing 23rd.

"It's great for our kids and our program that people recognize that this team has had a great season so far," said Kerri Blaylock, SIU head coach. "We're honored, but we still have a long way to go."

The ranking comes a week after the Salukis earned their first mid-season ranking ever last week at #24 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll. SIU's previous rankings were in the preseason or final season polls.

Southern Illinois has won 26 of its last 28 games, including win streaks of 11 and 14 games, and currently sits in second place in the Valley.

SIU began the season tied for the 23rd spot with Texas A&M in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 preseason poll, before being dropped out of the poll without playing a game. The Salukis currently are two spots behind MVC rival Creighton, who is 21st in the poll.

The poll is led by #1 Michigan, who is followed by Arizona, California, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Baylor, Stanford and Oregon State in the top ten. Fans can see the complete ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll at http://www.usasoftball.com.

The Salukis will put their newly earned #23 ranking on the line in a Thursday doubleheader against Evansville at 3 p.m. in Evansville, Ind.