March 5, 2011
Box Score
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The University of Illinois softball team opened Saturday's doubleheader schedule with another late-inning offensive output, plating the winning run in the sixth inning as part of a three-run frame to earn their third victory of the tournament, 4-1. Danielle Zymkowitz scored two runs on two hits and one walk to spark the Illini offense.
"We needed to get more runs on the board and we did that at the right time," Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan said. "Early in the game we were not sharp, making mental mistakes, but we overcame our errors to earn the win."
The Orange and Blue took an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Zymkowitz started the game with a single that deflected off Fordham third baseman Jocelyn Dearborn's glove into shallow center field. Zymkowitz advanced to second on a wild pitch by Chelsea Plimpton and scored on Meredith Hackett's double to the left-center field fence.
Fordham tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth as Beckah Wiggins led off the frame with a walk and stole second two batters later. Lindsey Kay Bright placed an RBI single into center field and advanced to third on an Illinois throwing error. With the Rams pressuring for the lead, Zymkowitz produced a dynamic fielding play, showing her defensive range by sprinting into shallow left field to make an over-the-shoulder snag of Nicole Callahan's fly ball to end the inning.
"We had two exceptional defensive plays from Danielle [Zymkowitz]," Sullivan said. "She completed outstanding plays and made it look easy. She has done it before to get us out of an inning and really came through in the field today."
The Illini immediately answered, scoring three runs off 2010 All-American pitcher Jen Mineau. Zymkowitz stole second, her seventh theft of the season, after starting the inning with a walk. Hollie Pinchback followed with a fly ball a few feet in front of the center field wall, where Fordham's centerfield bobbled and dropped the ball, allowing Zymkowitz to score from second to break the 1-1 tie. Pinchback advanced to third base during the play to put a runner in scoring position as Fordham attempted to catch Zymkowitz at home.
One batter later, Kelley Wedel placed a single through the left side of the infield to bring Pinchback home and extend the lead to 3-1. Danielle Vaji stepped to the plate next and, with two outs and Wedel on first, drove the ball to the center field wall, hustling to third base just ahead of the throw while Wedel sprinted home to extend the Illini lead to 4-1.
Pepper Gay started in the circle for Illinois, holding Fordham to three hits in seven innings of work. The Avondale Estates, Ga., native only allowed one unearned run on the game while fanning four batters.
"Pepper [Gay] threw well throughout the game," Sullivan said. "She gave up a couple hits in the later innings but was able to fight through it to earn the win."
Up Next: The Orange and Blue (8-5) wrap up Saturday's doubleheader slate with a 2 p.m. CT contest against the Longwood Lancers (10-0).
