Katie Gaal
GoSycamores.Com
April 30, 2009
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? This upcoming weekend, the Indiana State Sycamores (17-24, 9-13 MVC) will host the Southern Illinois Salukis (31-11, 13-6 MVC) in a three-game series with Missouri Valley Conference post-season hopes on the line. The Salukis have already secured themselves a spot in the tournament but a sweep of the Sycamores would put them at a better seed. With senior day on Saturday, the Sycamores will be looking to their five seniors to lead them to victory.
All but two teams have locked in spots for the post-season tournament in Peoria, Ill., with three teams in contention for these spots. The final two teams will consist of Missouri State, Wichita State, or Indiana State dependent upon this weekend's final conference series. Missouri State is currently 8-9 (.471) and has three games remaining against Bradley. Wichita State is 9-13 (.409) and also has three games to go against Creighton.
To put it simple, the Sycamores must match whatever Wichita State does this weekend against Creighton. If Wichita State is swept, the Sycamores can get away with winning zero games and still qualify for the tournament. However, if Wichita State steals a game from Creighton, the Sycamores MUST win one game against Southern Illinois in order to qualify. If the Shockers win two games, the Sycamores must win two games, and so forth.
The Salukis sit in second place right now in the MVC and have won three consecutive games after sweeping Bradley this past weekend. They own a 57-15 all-time series advantage over the Sycamores and shutout Indiana State in all three games last season.
On Saturday, the doubleheader between the Sycamores and Salukis will start at 12:00 p.m. EST. Seniors Darcy Wood, Meredith Simpson, Katie Armour, Sam Markowski, and Britt Boyer will be honored following the game. On Sunday, the third and final home game for the Sycamores is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. EST. Sunday is also Youth Day where all youth league teams are invited to Price Field. An autograph session will take place after the game and kids will have the opportunity to run the bases.
