March 31, 2002
Box Score
Madison, Wisc. -
Illinois softball wrapped up their first Big Ten Weekend on the road for an Easter doubleheader at Wisconsin in Madison. Wisconsin took game one in the seventh, 3-2, while the Illini rallied back in game two to win 2-1. Illinois is now 18-13, 2-2 in the conference.
"This week was significant for our team, not only in our wins but our losses," said head coach Terri Sullivan. "We competed hard and put ourselves in position to win. I thought we showed maturity by losing in a tough way in both first games this weekend and finding a way to come back to win in the second."
In game one, Wisconsin (20-10, 3-1) put up two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Meghann Reiss lead off the inning with a single. Mandy Liles entered as the pinch runner and advanced to second after Anna Jones was hit by a pitch. Designated player Nicki Starry singled to score Liles and put Anna Jones on second. Anna Jones scored on an Erin Barnharst single to second.
Illinois came within one in the sixth inning. Centerfielder Sarah Baumgartner got on board with a single. Alicia Hammel moved Baumgartner to second on a sacrific bunt to third. Elene Planinsek came in to bat for Julie Balicki and ripped a RBI single to center, scoring Baumgartner. "It shows that everyone is important to the team when they get the opportunity. Top to bottom, it was a team effort," said Sullivan of Planinsek's RBI.
Holding Wisconsin scoreless in the sixth inning, the Illini tied the game at two in the final inning. rin Jones reached on an error by the shortstop. Lindsey Hamma, who entered today riding a nine-game hitting streak, singled to right field. Cleanup batter Erin Montgomery loaded the bases when she made it to first on another Badger error. Erin Jones was thrown out at home on a Sarah Baumgartner fielder's choice. Hamma scored when pitcher Andrea Kirchberg balked. Hammel was walked to load the bases once again, but the Illini rally was cut short as Katie O'Connell struck out.
Illinois played tough defense, trying to get some extra playing time in game one. With two runners on and two out, Reiss dashed the Illini's hopes as she singled to left field, sending in Boo Gillette from second.
After a hard fought first game, neither team seemed to be in a hurry to get a run on the board in game two.
Finally in the bottom of the third, Illinois scored two runs. O'Connell had a leadoff walk to begin the inning. Catcher Lauren Gronski moved O'Connell on a fielder's choice. Freshman Julie Balicki came in to replace Gronski. Erin Jones also got on board with a one-out fielder's choice when O'Connell was out at second. Hamma's lone hit of game two was a single and she advanced to second, driving in Balicki and Jones. Said Sullivan of Hamma's 11-game hit streak, "Lindsey's a tough out and has tremendous hand-eye coordination. She's a pure hitter who goes to battle every pitch."
Wisconsin cut the margin in half in the top of the fifth. Sheena Padovan singled to start the inning and advanced to second on a one-out sacrifice bunt. Kerry Hagen singled to second, scoring Padovan.
Sherri Taylor (9-9) went the distance in both games. She allowed 14 hits and struck out 16. Sullivan said Taylor was one of the high points of the weekend. "I asked Sherri at the beginning of the week if she could pitch all four games this weekend and she answered 'Yes' with a smile."
The Illini are looking forward to opening their home portion of the schedule Tuesday afternoon as they host Eastern Illinois in a doubleheader at 4 p.m. at Eichelberger Field. "We are excited to play at our home field. I am proud of the team to be playing well through the injuries we have had. We can't wait to show how we are doing to our fans," said Sullivan.
