March 17, 2001
Box Score
Conway, S.C. - Following Friday's cancellation, the University of Illinois women's softball team came back with a 4-2 win over Charlotte at the Winthrop Invitational. The Illini's record improved to 16-10.
Kristie Sauter's pinch-hit two-run homerun in the fifth inning gave the Illini a lead they would never relinquish. Sauter's homerun was her second of the season.
Erin Montgomery batted 3-for-3 and Karyn Bird was 2-for-3 as the Illini pounded out nine hits against the 49ers. Kathryn Nevard moved her record to 10-5 on the season as she limited Charlotte to five hits while striking out three batters and walking none.
The Illini got up early on the 49ers, scoring a run in the first inning. Erin Montgomery led off the inning with an infield single and advanced to third base after a sacrifice by Erin Jones and an error by the first baseman. With Montgomery on third, Lindsey Hamma knocked an RBI groundout to second base to give the Illini a 1-0 lead.
Charlotte came back in the second inning with two runs. Leah Heston and Nora Petrie each had RBI hits off of Nevard, as the 49ers took a 2-1 lead.
The Illini evened the score up in the third inning. With one out and Sarah Baumgartrner on third base, Hamma hit her second consecutive RBI groundout to tie the game at 2-2.
The Illini went ahead for good in the fourth inning on Sauter's homerun. After a two-out single by Karyn Bird, Sauter hit a 2-2 pitch to center field to give the Illini a 4-2 lead.
