April 30, 2000
Box Score
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Illinois women's softball team suffered two close losses against Detroit Mercy Sunday afternoon, both by the score of 2-1. Down 2-0 in the seventh inning, the Illini rallied back in each game only to fall one run short.
In the first game the Illini starting pitcher Pam Almanza spotted the Titans a run in both the bottom of the second and third innings. With one out Titan catcher Melanie Davis singled to to score Nichole Taucher and gave the Titans a 1-0 lead. The Titans came back in the third inning benefiting from two wild pitches and one error. With two outs and runners on second and third second baseman Lindsey Creydt committed an error off of a Stephanie Mordus grounder that scored Devon Brisky.
The Illini were able to stay close, with help coming from senior reliever Nickie Davis. Davis came into the game in the fourth and allowed only one hit and no runs against ten Titan batters in three innings of relief.
Down but not done, the Illini inched closer as right fielder Lori Schaeffer led off the top of the seventh with a homer that cut the game's deficit in half. But the Illini couldn't figure out Titans starter Bridget Teisl who retired the next three Illinois hitters to preserve the Titans a 2-1 win.
Almanza took the loss for the Illini and finished the season with a 7-8 record. Schaeffer finished the game with two hits and one RBI.
The Illini and the host Titans continued the dominating pitching in the nightcap. Illinois starting pitcher Heather Black limited the Titans to seven hits and only two runs.
The Titans scored both their runs in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, Titan center fielder Laura Gignac rapped a double into the scoring two Titan runners.
The Illini's ?never say die attitude' stayed with them in the second game in the top of the seventh. With two outs and left fielder Jean Jones on second base, designated hitter Anitra White slapped a double into center field that was two feet short of being a home run. With pinch runner Jenny Powaga on second, Titans starter Lori Caloia was able to get Heather Black to ground out to shortstop and preserve a 2-1 win.
Despite the loss, the Illini got good efforts from Black, who also contributed with two hits, and designated hitter White who finished two hits and the Illini's lone RBI.
The Illini finish their first softball season with a 13-17 overall record. The Illini will begin Big Ten play next season as well as opening up Eichelberger Field which began construction on March 15.
