March 24, 2001
Box Score
Marietta, Ga. - Alicia Hammel's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning, led the Illinois women's softball team to a 3-2 win over East Carolina in the Buzz Classic. Finishing pool play with a 4-0 record, Illinois moves on to single elimination play to begin later this evening. Illinois' opponent is yet to be determined. Illinois' overall record is 24-11.
"This was a great victory for our team and it was nice to come back and beat East Carolina and get a little payback after losing to them last week (at Coastal Carolina)," said Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan. "We didn't panic when we were down and I thought our team stayed focused on what we needed to do. We didn't worry about what they did and I think it shows the maturity of our team to win a game against a very good opponent."
The win over East Carolina marks another victory for the Illini against a team that was a NCAA Regional participant last season. Illinois also defeated Middle Tennessee earlier in the Buzz Classic to give the Illini a 2-0 record at the tournament against NCAA Regional participants. Ironically, Illinois defeated both teams in its first games against an opponent in extra innings this season.
With the score 1-1 after seven innings, Illinois and East Carolina moved into extra inning play under international rules, placing a runner on second base with no outs. After East Carolina scored one run in their top half of the inning, it was the Illini's turn to come to bat. With Erin Jones on second base, Lindsey Hamma dropped a perfect sacrifice bunt. As Jones made it to third base, the throw from the Pirates first baseman went over Pirate second baseman Keisha Shepperson's head to score Jones and move Hamma to second base. With two outs and Hamma on third base, Hammel singled up the middle to give the Illini the 3-2 win.
Notching the victory for the Illini was Amanda Fortune who moved her record to 10-5 on the season. Fortune limited the Pirates to seven scattered hits and one earned run. Fortune has won five consecutive games on the mound for the Illini. Erin Montgomery was also 1-for-2 at bat with one RBI and was robbed of a homerun by Pirates left fielder.
Down 1-0, Illinois knotted the game up in the fifth inning. With two outs, pinch hitter Kristie Sauter and Lauren Gronski each singled to put two runners on base for the Illini. After Sarah Baumgartner walked to load the bases, Erin Montgomery was hit by a pitch to bring home the first Illinois run.
In Illinois' first game of the day, Kathryn Nevard retired 21 of 22 batters and Janna Sartini hit her third homerun of the season as the Illinois women's softball team defeated Florida A&M 4-0. The Illini are now 23-11 overall and 3-0 in the Buzz Classic. The Illini finish pool play at 1 p.m. vs. East Carolina.
Nevard was near perfect against the Rattlers as a fourth inning single by Raven Rushton was the lone base runner allowed. Nevard improved her record to 12-6 on the season.
Along with Nevard's performance on the mound, the Illini knocked out six hits against Florida A&M pitcher Tenyse Tasby. Sartini was 2-for-3 with two RBI and Hammel batted 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Sartini got things started for the Illini in the fourth inning. After a lead-off walk by Erin Jones and a stolen base, Sartini ripped a RBI double to right field to give the Illini a 1-0 lead.
Illinois extended its lead to 2-0 Hammel knocked a two-out double down the left field line to score pinch runner Meghan Watson.
The Illini added to the lead in the fifth inning as Lauren Gronski's single to right field scored Sarah Baumgartner.
The Illini finished the scoring in the sixth inning as Sartini hit her second homerun of the tournament to settle the score at 4-0.
