Feb. 28, 2002

Champaign, Ill. - After going 3-2 the past three tournaments, the Fighting Illini softball team is looking for a new chapter in this season as they head to Chattanooga, Tenn., this weekend for the Frost Tournament, hosted by Tennessee-Chattanooga.

Illinois played in the Softball by the Beach Invitational last weekend in Santa Barbara, Calif. They defeated opening day opponents, Cal Poly, 3-1, and UC-Santa Barbara, 3-0. On Saturday, Feb. 23, the Illini split their games, losing to Sacramento State, 1-0, and beating Santa Clara, 4-0.

Illinois is looking to redeem itself after losing to Cal, 8-0, in five innings, in their final game last weekend.

Despite ending on a low note, some positives came from the previous weekend. Sophomore Erin Montgomery returned to the lineup as the designated player after missing the first two tournaments with injuries. Montgomery hit a double and a triple against Santa Clara.

The Illini are getting on base more often than their opponents. The team has an on-base percentage of .323, has collected 90 hits and hit 20 extra base hits in 15 games this season.

Illinois will face Marshall (12:15 p.m.) and Lipscomb (2:30 p.m.) on Friday, March 1. On day two, the Illini will face host Chattanooga at 12:15 p.m., and Tennessee Tech at 4:45 p.m. On Sunday, the tournament concludes for the Illini as they play at 10 a.m against Baylor and at 2:30 against Arkansas.