Feb. 16, 2001
Box Score
Raleigh, N.C. - The University of Illinois women's softball team lost to Tennessee, 4-0, in the opening game of the Triangle Classic. The loss drops Illinois' record to 6-1 and 0-1 in tournament play. The Illini will next play the host Tar Heels of North Carolina at approximately 4 p.m. EST.
Janna Sartini was 2-for-2 with one walk and Sherri Taylor pitched two innings of relief allowing no runs on two hits, but the Illini could never find an answer to Tennessee pitcher Stephanie Humphrey. Humphrey limited the Illini to four hits and three walks, and was able to keep the Illini off the scoreboard.
Tennessee opened the scoring in the top of the third inning. With two outs and runners on second and third, Janette Koshell knocked a single into center field to give the Volunteers a 1-0 lead.
The Volunteers added a run in the fourth inning. With two outs and a runner on third base, Annie Fletcher laid a bunt down the first base that scored Hannah Low and increased Tennessee's lead to 2-0.
Illinois gave the Volunteers a scare in the fourth inning. Lindsey Hamma ripped a single into center field and Janna Sartini knocked a base hit into right field. However the Illini only got as far as third base, as Volunteer pitcher Stephanie Humphrey was able to strike out Karyn Bird and get Kristie Sauter to ground out to first, spoiling Illinois' chances.
Tennessee extended its lead to four in the fifth inning as Carissa Roustan hit a two-run homer to left field.
The Illini stayed in the game though, behind a solid relief performance by Sherri Taylor. In relief for Illinois starter Kathryn Nevard, Taylor was able to get out of a bases loaded jam with no outs. Taylor was able to limit the Volunteers to two forced plays at the plate and one ground out.
