April 19, 2002
State College, Pa. -
The University of Illinois softball team extended its winning streak to eight games and won a big contest for a shot at the Big Ten Tournament with a 3-2 win at Penn State in the first game of a two-game series Friday evening. Illinois came into the contest ranked 18th in the country in hitting (.301). The bats remained hot for the Illini, who pounded out nine hits on the evening.
The win was the first for Illinois at Penn State, having lost both games here last season. The win also moves Illinois to 6-5 in the Big Ten and 28-16 overall, while Lions, battling with the Illini and three teams for the final three spots in the Big Ten Tournament, drop to 22-21 overall and 5-8 in the conference.
"This team continues to look more and more mature," said Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "We came out tonight with a lot of energy and that translated into a great first inning."
One of the reasons for Illinois' recent success has been its ability to get hits up and down the batting order. That was the case again on Friday with ninth-place hitter Alicia Hammel going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Erin Montgomery (2-for-3, run scored), and Lindsey Hamma (2-for-4) also had multiple hits for the Illini.
Illinois wasted little time in getting going. The first three Illinois batters in the first got hits. Lindsey Hamma led off with a single to left field and stole her second base of the year. Jones singled just outside of the out-stretched glove of left-fielder Megan Humphrey, but Hamma was thrown out trying to advance to second. Janna Sartini took the first pitch from Penn State starter Marisa Hanson (11-10) and belted her third home run of the year. Humphrey had the ball in her glove, but couldn't hold on as the ball fell over the fence to make it 2-0 Illinois.
The Illini added a run in the third. First baseman Alicia Hammel singled home Erin Montgomery with a two-out bases-loaded single up the middle. The inning also included a bunt single from LeeAnn Butcher and an error by the Lion third baseman.
Illinois starter Sherri Taylor pitched well, giving up just two hits while striking out five in improving to 15-12 on the year. She struck out three batters in the first two innings, including a strikeout of Penn State power hitter Megan Humphrey, who had two deep fouls before Taylor blew a pitch by her for the third strike.
Penn State broke through with two runs in sixth without the benefit of a hit thanks to three Illinois errors. Humphrey drove in one of the two Lion runs with a sacrifice fly. Taylor finished off Penn State by retiring the side in order in the seventh.
"Even with some uncharacteristic mistakes behind her, Sherri Taylor was never fazed," Sullivan said. "She kept her poker face and stepped up there and got outs. She and (catcher) Janna Sartini did a great job at working the pitches tonight."
The game was delayed by an hour and 12 minutes because of scattered thunder showers which rumbled through the area.
