March 15, 2002
Final Stats
Rock Hill, S.C. -
The Illinois offense broke out in a big way in game two of the Winthrop Tournament Friday night. The Illini pounded out 12 hits in a 20-1 rout of North Carolina A&T. Earlier in the day, Illinois had runners in scoring position in five of the seven innings, but lost to Campbell, 1-0.
Illinois continues pool play by facing Eastern Kentucky and East Carolina on Saturday, then enters bracket play on Sunday.
Lindsey Hamma (Wheeling, Ill./Buffalo Grove H.S.) had a big day, going 3-for-3 in the first game and 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, a stolen base, an RBI, and four runs scored against N.C. A&T. In fact in that second game, the top third of the order combined for seven hits in the five-inning affair. Third baseman Erin Jones (Fullerton, Calif./Sunny Hills H.S.) went 2-for-3 with two RBI, a walk and one run scored. Erin Montgomery (Casey, Ill./Casey-Westfield H.S.) went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored.
"Lindsey Hamma's offensive sticks out in the box score," said Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "But she also made some great plays in the field."
Sarah Baumgartner (Wheaton, Ill/Wheaton-Warrenville South H.S.) also had a big day at the plate in the middle of the order. The sophomore center fielder combined to go 4-for-7 with a double, three RBI, and two runs scored in the two games.
Illinois scored eight runs on four hits in the first inning against A&T as Illinois sent 12 batters to the plate. Baumgartner had one of the big blows with a double to center, scoring both Jami Bradley (Trilla, Ill./Mattoon H.S.) and Montgomery. Jones also singled home a run in the frame.
The Illini added five more runs in the second and seven runs in the fourth. That was plenty for the Illinois pitchers. Freshman Abby Lovejoy (Normal, Ill./Normal Community H.S.) improved her record to 3-0 by pitching the first three innings of the game and allowing just two hits, while striking out three. Sophomore Lindsey Tanner (Concord, Calif./Carondelet H.S.) allowed just two walks and no hits while striking out four in pitching the final two innings of the game.
Illinois scattered seven hits, but could not get a run across in a 1-0 loss to Campbell College in the first game of the Winthrop College Tournament.
Illinois sophomore pitcher Sherri Taylor (Stockton, Calif./Lincoln H.S.) gave up just four hits while striking out four, but was the hard-luck loser, dropping to 4-4 on the season. Campbell scored when Lisa Evans singled home Shannon O'Brien in the second inning.
Hamma was 3-for-3, while Baumgartner went 2-for-3. The Illini had runners in scoring position in each of the first four innings, including the third inning when they had runners at second and third with one out, but Illinois had a runner thrown at home on a grounder in the infield.
Lauren Gronski (Morris, Ill./H.S.) and Julie Balicki (Lockport, Ill./H.S.)shared the catching duties for the injured Janna Sartini (Galt, Calif./H.S.) , who hopes to be back in a week.
"In the first game we threatened in nearly every inning, but just couldn't get the big hits when we needed them," said Sullivan. "It was nice to see us break out offensively today. We've been getting some great pitching and getting a lot of runners on base, but haven't had that much to show for it. Hopefully this is a game the can ignite our bats the rest of the weekend."
