April 1, 2001
Box Score
URBANA, Ill. -
Illinois freshman Amanda Fortune matched Michigan senior Marie Barda pitch for pitch Sunday for five innings. The Wolverines mounted a rally with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Illini 2-0 in front of 348 fans at Eichelberger Field.
Fortune gave up just five hits and walked none through five innings while striking out four. Michigan's Monica Schock singled, then Melinda Moulden doubled down the left field line giving Michigan runners at second and third and nobody out. Shortstop Rebecca Tune doubled home two runs to provide all the run support the Wolverine ace would need. Barda gave up just two hits, while walking two and striking out three.
Fortune got out of a jam in the third. With runners at second and third and one out, Fortune struck out Stephanie Volpe looking on a breaking pitch, then got Monica Schock to ground weakly back to the pitcher.
The Illini mounted a rally of their own in the top of the sixth. Lauren Gronski singled to right field. Erin Jones was hit by a pitch and Janna Sartini walked loading the bases with two outs, but Illinois was unable to get a run home. Barda retired the side in order in the seventh. Erin Montgomery had the other Illinois hit in the first inning.
Illinois falls to 2-2 in the Big Ten and 30-14 overall. Michigan is 14-11-1 and 2-0 in the Big Ten conference.
