Feb. 18, 2006

Illinois-Utah State Box Score Illinois-Utah Box Score

Henderson, Nev. - Illinois put forth two solid wins on Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Classic near Las Vegas. The Illini used a six-run sixth inning to pull away from Utah State, 8-1, then followed that with a 7-2 victory over Utah. Illinois improves to 4-4 on the season.

"Today was just a great effort both offensively and defensively," said Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "A lot of different people are playing a role."

Rachelle Coriddi and Jenna Hall have been teaIllinois put forth two solid wins on Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Classic near Las Vegas. The Illini used a six-run sixth inning to pull away from Utah State, 8-1, then followed that with a 7-2 victory over Utah. Illinois improves to 4-4 on the season.

"Today was just a great effort both offensively and defensively," said Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "A lot of different people are playing a role."

Rachelle Coriddi and Jenna Hall have been tearing up the competition in the first two weekends of the season and Saturday was no exception. Coriddi had five straight hits to end her day, including a 4-for-4 effort vs. Utah. A prototypical lead-off hitter, Coriddi scored all five times she reached base on the day to raise her season average to .467 with 14 runs scored and perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases.

"Rachelle is doing everything you can hope a senior lead-off hitter would do," Sullivan. "She could always run, but her bat has really exploded this year, making herself a real headache for the opponents."

Hall hit her first home run of the season, pulling an offering in the first inning vs. Utah State over the right field fence. Hall was 4-for-6 with a walk and a double, which would have left the park had it not been for a huge wind gust that kept the ball in the park.

Claire DeVreese had a nice day on the mound, picking up victories in both games. DeVreese pitched a four-hit complete game in the win over Utah State and tossed the final five scoreless innings in relief against Utah, giving up five hits, while striking out five.

"Claire just needed to throw more innings to get better," Sullivan said. "I thought in the second game she had a lively arm, getting the strikeouts that a hard thrower should get."

Coriddi singled to right field to start the sixth inning against Utah State, setting the stage for a two-run home run from sophomore Shanna Diller to straight away center field, her second of the season and ninth of her young career. Jackelyn Diekemper drove in the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly. Molly Lawhead completed the scoring with a three-run home run to center field, breaking the game open.

Illinois needed to come from behind in the win over Utah. The Illini struck first just three pitches into the first inning. Coriddi singled and scored on a double from Diller, who had two doubles and two RBI vs. Utah . The Utes tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first then went in front on an RBI single from Diana Phillips.

DeVreese came into the game in the third and struck out four of the first eight batters she faced opening the door for the Illinois offense to kick into gear. Hall doubled home freshman Courtney Hoogeveen and Coriddi, giving the Illini the lead for good at 3-2 in the third.

Hall and Diller had a hand in all seven runs of the game. In the fifth Diller doubled home Coriddi, and scored an RBI single from Hall. Diller and Hall drove in two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly and a single to left field, respectively.

The Illini finish their stay in Las Vegas Sunday with a 11 a.m. CST game with Portland State. ring up the competition in the first two weekends of the season and Saturday was no exception. Coriddi had five straight hits to end her day, including a 4-for-4 effort vs. Utah. A prototypical lead-off hitter, Coriddi scored all five times she reached base on the day to raise her season average to .467 with 14 runs scored and perfect 10-for-10 in stolen bases.

"Rachelle is doing everything you can hope a senior leader would do," Sullivan. "She could always run, but her bat has really come exploded this year, making herself a real headache for the opponents."

Hall hit her first home run of the season, pulling an offering in the first inning vs. Utah State and pulled it over the right field fence. Hall was 4-for-6 with a walk and a double, which would have left the park had it not been for a huge wind gust that kept the ball in the park.

Claire DeVreese had a nice day on the mound, picking up victories in both games. DeVreese pitched a four-hit complete game in the win over Utah State and tossed the final five scoreless innings in relief against Utah, giving five hits, while striking out five.

"Claire just needed to throw more innings to get better," Sullivan said. "I thought in the second game she had a lively arm, getting the strikeouts that a hard thrower should get."

Coriddi singled to right field to start the sixth inning against Utah State, setting the stage for a two-run home run from sophomore Shanna Diller to straight away center field, her second of the season and ninth of her young career. Jackelyn Diekemper drove in the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly. Molly Lawhead completed the scoring with a three-run home run to center field, breaking the game open.

Illinois needed to come from behind in the win over Utah. The Illini struck first just three pitches into the first inning. Coriddi singled and scored on a double from Diller, who had two doubles vs. Utah and two RBI. Utah tied the game with a run in the bottom of the first then went in front on an RBI single from Diana Phillips.

DeVreese came into the game in the third and struck out four of the first eight batters she faced opening the door for the Illinois offense to kick into gear. Hall doubled home freshman Courtney Hoogeveen and Coriddi, giving the Illini the lead for good at 3-2 in the third.

Hall and Diller had a hand in all seven runs of the game. In the fifth Diller doubled home Coriddi, and scored an RBI single from Hall. Diller and Hall drove in two more runs in the sixth on a sacrifice fly and a single to left field, respectively.