March 11, 2006

Box Score

Clearwater, Florida--Illinois dropped their first game in silver bracket play at the USF-Adidas Invitational to conference rival Purdue, 11-7. The loss drops the Illini's record to 7-10 overall and ends their tournament life. Despite an impressive early 4-0 lead in the first the Illini could not stop two five run innings from the Boilermakers.

The Illini batted through the line up in the first, scoring four runs on four hits in the first inning to break out to an early 4-0 lead.

Consecutive singles up the middle by Shanna Diller, Jenna Hall and Kacey Coonce put the Illini on the board first, 1-0. After starting pitcher Brooke Baker walked designated hitter Katrina Ross with the bases loaded Molly Lawhead scorched a double to left center driving in two more giving the Illini a 4-0 lead.

Purdue answered in back to back innings, driving in ten runs and capitalized on four Illini errors to take the lead 10-4.

The Illini were silenced until the sixth when Coach Sullivan went to her bench for a spark. Kistin Martin started the rally with a pinch hit solo homerun to the opposite field. Sophomore Sarah Bryers who had entered right field the inning before provided a single and advanced when pinch hitter Makenzie Smith singled through the right side and scoring Diller. Catcher Brittany Koester put the ball in play and the Illini capitalized on a Purdue error to score another run before Purdue ended the inning still leading 11-7.

Starting pitcher, Kacey Coonce took the loss in the circle for the Illini bringing her record to 2-6.

The Illini return to action Tuesday in a doubleheader against Illinois State in Normal starting at 4 p.m.