Feb. 23, 2002

Box Score

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Playing in the first game of the Softball by the Beach Invitational in Santa Barbara, the University of Illinois softball team didn't have the outcome they had hoped. The Fighting Illini were defeated by Sacramento State, 1-0. The Illini fall to 8-5 on the season.

"We talked about situational hitting, but we couldn't pull it off today," said assistant coach Donna DiBiase. "(Sacramento State) got the breaks today."

Illinois could not capitalize on the Hornet errors. In the top of the first and with two outs, designated player Erin Montgomery got on board on a throwing error by third baseman Mary Villialpando. Montgomery was left on base when catcher Janna Sartini grounded out to short.

In the second, UI had a chance to score again. Second baseman Katie O'Connell led off the inning with a single. Centerfielder Sarah Baumgartner reached first on her bunt when Hornet second baseman Lori Meixner couldn't come down with the ball for the error. Freshman Jami Bradley came in to bat for Elene Planinsek and got on base on another error by Meixner. O'Connell advanced to third, but Baumgartner was out on the play. First baseman Alicia Hammel made it on base on a fielder's choice when she hit to shortstop Amy Hillel. Hillel threw home and got O'Connell out as she tried to score.

Bradley singled with two outs in the fourth for the Illini's third attempt to get a tally on the board. Hammel doubled to left, advancing Bradley to third. With runners on the corners, Kristi Sauter pinched hit for LeeAnn Butcher. Illinois was unable to score again as Sauter grounded out to short.

The lone run of the game came for the Hornets in the bottom of the fourth. Catcher Erin Coyne singled to right field. Alison Norman came in to pinch run for Coyne. Sartini tried to gun down Norman as she stole second but shortstop Lindsey Hamma was unable to come up with the throw and Norman advanced to third. Hillel hit a short fly to center, sending in Norman.

The Illini tried to rally in the seventh. Leadoff hitter LeeAnn Butcher reached first on a bunt but was called back to the plate as it was ruled the ball hit her as she left the batter's box. Butcher then struck out. Hamma grounded out to the pitcher and second baseman Erin Jones grounded out to second to end the game.

Amanda Fortune took the loss for the Illini. Fortune struck out two, allowed four hits and walked one. Her record is now 4-3.

Illinois plays in the final game of the day in the tournament against the Santa Clara Broncos at 7 p.m. Pacific time. The tournament concludes on Sunday as the Illini will play Cal at 9 a.m.