May 2, 2001

Box Score

MUNCIE, IND. - Illinois played its last game before final exams --in the classroom and on the field, on Wednesday at Ball State. The players begin finals this weekend before opening the Big Ten Tournament on May 10 at Iowa City or Ann Arbor. The Illini passed its final softball review with a 10-0, five-inning win over the host Cardinals to finish the regular season at 47-21.

In order to do well on its final exam on the field, Illinois will have to excel in all aspects of the game -- pitching, fielding, and hitting, as well as execute all the little things.

Erin Montgomery was one of many hitting stars for Illinois on the day, going 2-for-3 with a double and four RBI. Janna Sartini went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and one run scored. Alicia Hammel reached base and scored on two of her three times to the plate on a single and a hit-by-pitch.

Illinois had scored just 11 runs in its last eight games, and Ball State starter Marcy Mobley came into the contest with a 1.41 ERA, but the Illini exploded for seven runs on five hits in the second inning.

The Illini sent 11 batters to the plate in the second and scored all of their runs after two were out. Lauren Gronski's patience at the plate led to a two-out walk, and Kristie Sauter did likewise, loading the bases for Alicia Hammel. Hammel placed a ball perfectly over the third base bag to drive home the first run of the game.

Erin Jones followed with a double down the right field line, scoring two more. Erin Montgomery doubled down the right field line, clearing the bases and making it 5-0. One batter later, Janna Sartini nearly hit one over the fence 225 feet away from the plate, slamming a double off the fence, and making it 7-0.

Illinois added two runs in the third and one in the fourth off of Ball State reliever Randi Freese. Montgomery's double scored both Sauter and Hammel in the third. Katie O'Connell doubled to deep left field, plating Janna Sartini, who beat out an infield single in the fourth.

The pitching and defense was solid for Illinois as well. Kathryn Nevard gave up just three hits in three innings of work to improve her record to 25-9. Amanda Fortune allowed just one hit in her two innings of work. Ball State threatened to score in the second, but Illinois turned an around the horn double play- third baseman Erin Jones to second baseman Katie O'Connell to first baseman Alicia Hammel.

Ball State lost for just the second time in 16 home games. Illinois must wait to find out the site of the Big Ten Tournament, which goes to the regular season champion. Currently Iowa and Michigan are tied for first at 15-3 with two games left for each of those two teams.