Feb. 12, 2012
Box Score
MIAMI - The Fighting Illini dropped a six-inning contest to Florida International in their Combat Classic finale, 8-0, on Sunday afternoon. Illinois had opportunities to score throughout, totaling nine base runners over the course of the contest. Redshirt-senior left fielder Danielle Vaji, senior first baseman Kelley Wedel, redshirt-junior shortstop Jessica Davis and junior catcher Stephanie Cuevas each totaled one base knock for the Orange and Blue.
"Everyone came together for two big wins yesterday, but today we weren't pleased with the energy the team came out with," Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan said. "We left runners on base early in the game and that became a factor later on. We let FIU hang in there, we weren't as crisp on the mound today and we didn't hit our pitches at the plate."
The game remained scoreless heading into the bottom of the fourth, where FIU capitalized on a bases-loaded situation with a run-scoring walk issued to Beth Peller followed by a Brie Rojas three-run double down the left field line to stake the Panthers to a 4-0 lead.
After Guy shut down FIU (1-3 overall) in the fifth, the Panthers tallied four more runs to end the contest in the bottom of the sixth. Ashley McClain totaled a run-scoring double and Rojas earned a three-run home run to seal the game.
Illinois had opportunities to score with the game tied at 0-0, putting runners in scoring position during the first, third and fourth innings, but were unable to move them home. With one away in the top of the first, Davis connected for a single down the left field line and senior first baseman Meredith Hackett (Corona, Calif./Santiago) followed with a walk. However, FIU starting pitcher Mariah Dawson settled in to record the final two outs of the frame.
Two innings later, Cuevas earned her first hit of the season, a single to shortstop, to reach as the leadoff batter. Sophomore pinch runner Alex Booker replaced Cuevas at first and stole second before Davis walked two batters later. With one away, Hackett moved both runners up with a groundout to first; however, freshman center fielder Brittany Sanchez grounded out to second to end the threat.
In the next frame, Vaji singled up the middle with one away, stole second and advanced to third on a passed ball. However, Vaji was stuck at third when designated player and relief pitcher Jackie Guy struck out swinging and freshman second baseman Jami Schkade flied out to left field.
Illinois' final chance to push across runs came in the sixth inning. With two away, Vaji and Guy drew full-count walks to put runners on first and second. A pitch struck Schkade during the following at bat to load the bases; however, Cuevas hit into a fielder's choice to send the game into the bottom of the inning.
Junior Pepper Gay earned the start in the circle for the Illini, throwing 2 1/3 innings without allowing a hit while walking five and striking out two before being replaced by Guy. The Buena Park, Calif., native finished the contest with three innings pitched, giving up eight runs on six hits and three walks while earning a pair of strikeouts.
Next up, Illinois (2-3 overall) heads to the Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational from Feb. 17-19, with a game each against Pittsburgh, No. 14 Tennessee and No. 18 Texas, with two additional contests decided by the outcome of the opening three match-ups.
