April 2, 2002

Game one boxscore
Game two boxscore

Urbana, Ill. - Illinois opened its second season at Eichelberger Field on Tuesday afternoon/evening, hosting Eastern Illinois in a twi-night doubleheader. Illinois used four unearned runs to defeat the Panthers, 4-1 in the first game, then put on their hitting shoes in a 10-2, five-inning win in the nightcap.

The first game win was significant because it marked the first time in 12 tries that the Illini have won when trailing in a game. Eastern jumped on top with a run in the third inning. Jen Green singled home Kristen Darnell, who reached on a double. That was the only run Illini pitcher Sherri Taylor would relinquish. She scattered four hits and struck out four in improving to 10-9 on the season.

Illinois took advantage of some sub-par defense in the fourth. Three Eastern errors led to four unearned Illinois runs off Eastern starter Kristen Becker (5-6). Lindsey Hamma and Erin Montgomery each reached on errors, then Hamma scored when the throw to second got away from the EIU catcher on an Illinois double steal attempt.

Sarah Baumgartner and Lauren Gronski had two hits apiece for the Illini in the game. Baumgartner doubled to left field, scoring Montgomery, then scored on a ground out. Gronski drove in the final run of the inning on her second straight double in the game, scoring Alicia Hammel.

"It's important to win at home," said Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "One of the best things about tonight was we had good offensive team play. They made great contact with the ball, especially Sarah Baumgartner."

In game two, Abby Lovejoy made her first appearance since March 22 as Taylor has carried the pitching load since then. Lovejoy allowed just two runs in five innings, while striking out three as the Illini won by the eight-run rule.

This time Illinois left little doubt about the outcome and took advantage of four more EIU errors. Illinois hit a lot of balls hard including two for extra bases. Hamma was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored after having an 11-game hitting streak snapped in the first game. Hamma doubled to the fence scoring the second of two Illinois first-inning runs. That marked the 14th time this season the Illini have scored in the first inning.

Freshmen designated player Elene Planinsek delivered an RBI for the second straight day with a single in the second making it 3-0 Illinois.

Erin Montgomery (2-for-3, RBI, two runs) belted a solo homer to lead off a two-run fourth for the Illini. Alicia Hammel's perfect execution of a squeeze bunt, plated Baumgartner making it 5-0.

Eastern scored two runs in the top of the fifth before Illinois put a five-spot on the board in the bottom of the inning. In the inning, LeAnn Butcher reached on a bunt single, Hamma singled home her second run of the game, Baumgartner drove home a run on a sacrifice fly, and Bridget Pluta drove in her first run on a ground out to the shortstop. The Illini also took advantage of two more Eastern errors.

"These two wins give us momentum going into the weekend with Iowa. I think these games are going to both be tough and exciting to watch," Sullivan added.

Illinois hosts the 19th rated Hawkeyes at 6 p.m. Friday and Noon on Saturday. Last year Illinois swept a doubleheader with Iowa at Eichelberger Field.