April 28, 2001
Box Score
Indiana exploded for five runs in the third inning, and went on to a 5-0 win over Illinois in women's softball. The Illini fall to 11-8 in the Big Ten and 45-21 overall.
Illinois managed just two hits in the contest off Indiana starter Alison Cooke (12-18), an infield single by Janna Sartini in the second and an Erin Jones double to left center in the seventh.
Indiana (15-33, 4-13) had four of its five hits in the five-run fifth. Three of the five runs were earned against the Illini's Kathryn Nevard (24-9). The rally began when Monique Bullock beat out an infield single. She stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single up the middle from Katie Joy. Indiana scored again when the Illini threw wildly trying to throw out a runner at home on a chopper on the infield. The Hoosiers broke the game open when Heather Stillians singled to center field scoring two more runs. Heather Suca drove in the final run of the game after reaching on a fielder's choice.
Nevard struck out three batters in her three innings of work. Amanda Fortune entered in relief and tossed three innings of shutout ball, allowing just two hits, but the Illini were not able to overcome the five-run deficit.
Illinois and Indiana wraps up a two-game series Sunday at 1 p.m.
