Sept. 14, 2003
Orland Park, Ill. -
The Illinois softball team went 3-0 at the Chicagoland Fall Classic in Orland Park, Ill., over the weekend. Sunday's play was rained out. On Saturday, the Illini defeated Kirkwood Community College, 14-1; Northern Iowa, 4-0; and Western Illinois, 5-1.
The highlight of the weekend was a near no-hitter from freshman Megan Huitink against Northern Iowa. Huitink took a no-hitter into the seventh, but gave up a single to the second hitter to finish with a one-hitter. Huitink allowed just one walk and one batter reached on an error while striking out five. In addition she allowed just one ball out of the infield.
"Megan gave us an impressive performance against a team that hit 42 home runs last season," said Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "I wasn't surprised with the way she threw. It just reaffirmed the confidence we have in giving her the ball."
Sophomore LeeAnn Butcher went 2-for-3 with a stolen base and two runs scored against Northern Iowa. The Illini broke open a 1-0 game with three runs in the fifth. Shortstop Lindsey Hamma singled home Butcher. One out later, senior Lauren Gronski came through with a clutch two-out bases loaded single, plating both Hamma and Erin Montgomery. Jenna Hall drove in the other Illinois run with a double in the third.
Illinois opened the tournament with an offensive explosion against Kirkwood with 15 hits in the four-inning game. The Illini sent 18 batters to the plate in the first two innings, scoring 11 combined in those frames. Senior catcher Janna Sartini went 2-for-2 with a triple and three RBI. Other Illinois hitting stars in the game were Lindsey Hamma (2-for-2, double, stolen base, two RBI), Gronski (2-for-2, two runs, RBI), and Katie O'Connell (2-for-3, 2 RBI). Sherri Taylor gave up four hits in recording the pitching victory.
"Several players had big weekends," Sullivan noted. "LeeAnn Butcher really came up big. She and Rachelle (Coriddi) hitting back-to-back in our line-up puts a lot of pressure on the defense."
The tournament closed with a 5-1 win over Western Illinois. Amanda Fortune looked strong on the mound, giving up just three hits in recording the complete-game victory. She also had a strikeout in six of the seven innings. Illinois extended a 2-1 lead with two runs in the fifth on a two-run double from Erin Montgomery. Julie Balicki delivered a pinch-hit triple in the sixth, plating Erin Jones with the final run of the game.
"This was a good opportunity to take the field against someone besides ourselves," said Sullivan. "There was a lot of energy in the dugout and was pleased with the effort by both our freshman and returning players. We have 2 1/2 weeks of practice left. We're looking forward to finishing the fall strong."
The Illini have two more open scrimmages - Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. and Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. at Eichelberger Field. Following the Sept. 28 scrimmage, the On-Deck Circle will put on a cookout for the Illini fans. "Those fans who come out will see a team that plays hard, is schooled in the fundamentals, and is really exciting to watch," Sullivan said.
