April 26, 2002

Final Stats

Urbana, Ill. - For Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan and the rest of the Illini softball team, the season has reached crunch time, and so the coach brought back sophomore Amanda Fortune from the injured list. Fortune, who made just nine starts before suffering a shoulder injury in late February, pitched a perfect seventh inning for Illinois. Unfortunately, Illinois couldn't rally against No. 11 Michigan in falling 3-1.

"I'm sore, but I feel really good," said Fortune afterward. "It is amazing to go back in after such a long break. It was great to get the inning over with quickly."

"It was good to get Amanda back," said Sullivan of Fortune's return. "I felt really pleased about the way she threw tonight."

Michigan's Marissa Young stifled the Illini, retiring the side in order in six of the seven innings, while striking out six. She retired the first nine batters she faced, including four in a row at one time.

Michigan pushed a run across in the third on an RBI single from Stephanie Volpe. Michigan loaded the bases, but Illinois pitcher Sherri Taylor, who had some brilliant moments, struck out Melinda Moulden swinging to end the rally.

The Wolverines added to their lead with a solo home run by Jessica Merchant, her fourth of the season in the top of the fourth. Illinois battled back and got to Young for two hits in the fourth. LeeAnn Butcher slapped a single to left and Lindsey Hamma singled to center. In between Erin Jones reached on a fielder's choice. Jones wisely tagged up and advanced to third on a deep foul out. Her heads-up play allowed her to score on a passed ball to cut the lead in the half.

Michigan put a dagger into the Illini's hopes in the sixth when Lisa Mack belted her third homer of the year, a line-drive shot over the left-field fence, to make it 3-1. Young retired the final ten batters of the game to improve her record to 20-7 on the year. Taylor (15-15) struck out five Wolverines in a losing cause.

"Overall I was pleased with our team play," said Sullivan. "The first time through the order, Young took care of business, but the second time through, we saw the ball better, but continued to hit the ball up. The pitching and catching looked great. For the most part, we did a decent job of shutting down the heart of their order, but you can't defend against the home run. "

The two teams do battle again on Saturday at noon. A celebrity softball game and a cookout will follow the Michigan-Illinois match-up.