Clearwater, Florida--The Fighting Illini knocked off their second ranked opponent of the year with a 5-4 win over #23 Virginia Tech (15-4) in pool play action Friday, then dropped their second game to Tennessee-Chattanooga 10-1 in five innings.

Against Virginia Tech, the Illini led most of the game until they found themselves behind 4-3 in their last at bats in the seventh. A Jenna Hall homerun and a game winning base hit up the middle by designated hitter Katrina Ross secured the win and improved Illinois' record to 6-8.

The Illini attacked first putting a run on the board in the bottom of the third when Shanna Diller hit a two out double to left field and scored on a scorched line drive by Jenna Hall, barely clearing stunned Hokie first baseman Stephanie Savre.

After 3.1 innings, starting Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher struck out eight Illini batters before being replaced by Katie Maynard. Tincher left the game after a throw back to the mound struck her in the face.

Molly Lawhead wasted no time in making Maynard comfortable taking Maynard's second pitch out of the park for a solo homerun and giving the Illini a 2-0 lead going into the fifth.

With two on and two out number eight batter Beth Walker took Kacey Coonce straight over the centerfield fence for a three run homerun putting the Hokies up 3-2 in the sixth.

Heads up base running by leftfielder Laura Zobrist and Courtney Hoogeveen tied the game 3-3 in the bottom of the sixth. Zobrist scored from second after Hoogeveen's bunt for a hit and advance to second distracted VT fielders enough for Zobrist to slide safely by Virginia Tech catcher Kelsey Hoffman.

The Illini found themselves down to their final three outs and down 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh when Jenna Hall, leading off the inning blasted her fourth homerun of the season into deep centerfield. After Angelina Mexicano doubled, a clutch hit up the middle by Ross sealed an Illini victory.

Junior Claire DeVreese picked up the win for the Illini relieving Coonce in the seventh. DeVreese allowed one hit and struck out two in her single inning appearance, improving her record to 4-3.

Illinois dropped their fourth game in pool play action to Tennessee-Chattanooga 10-1 in five innings this afternoon. Tennessee-Chattanooga (15-15) put the Illini in a hole early, scoring five runs on four hits in the top of the first inning. The Illini tried to answer but the Mocs were too much, continuing to pound the Illini for eight hits and 10 runs.

Outfielder Molly Lawhead contributed two hits for the Illini as they dropped to 6-9.

The Illini's lone run came in the bottom of the first when Kacey Coonce's single scored third baseman Shanna Diller from second.

Claire DeVreese (4-4) took the loss for the Illini going 3.1 innings while allowing all ten runs.

The Illini return to action tomorrow at 10 CST in their final pool game against Central Michigan.

Chattanooga.