March 18, 2006
Illinois-Cal Boxscore
Illinois-LIU Box Score
Sacramento, Calif. -
After getting only two hits against California ace Kristina Thorson on Saturday morning, the Illini put in a little extra batting practice in the afternoon. It paid off as the Illini rattled off 17 hits in a thrilling 11-8 victory over Long Island Saturday evening.
Sophomore Shanna Diller paced the way by going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, five RBI and two runs scored. Diller's grand slam highlighted a five-run sixth inning as the Illini built an 8-3 lead. The third baseman also put forth a spectacular slide into home on Angelena Mexicano's (2-for-3, 2B, RBI) two out RBI single in the fifth.
The sixth inning showed how dangerous and versatile the Illinois offense can be. Lana Armstrong roped a single to center, and Molly Lawhead (3-for-3, run) went with the pitch and lined one to left for hit. Freshman Courtney Hoogeveen beat out a chopper on the infield to load the bases with nobody out. One out later Diller powered one over the left field fence.
Long Island battled back for five runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the score at 8-8 going into the seventh. The Illini went back in front for good with three runs in the seventh. Jenna Hall (2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBI) sent a shot that just hugged the right field line fair driving home Hoogeveen and Coriddi. The Illini also took advantage of four Blackbird errors in the inning.
Claire DeVreese looked sharp in relief, forcing three ground ball outs to end the game.
Cal's Thorson was on her game, striking out 14 and tossing a two-hit shutout as the No. 6 Bears defeated Illinois 5-0 in morning action.
Every batter in the Illini order fell victim to Thorson's K clinic. Only lead-off batter Rachelle Coriddi managed to reach the hit column with two singles. Thorson allowed just one other base runner when she hit Shanna Diller in the fourth.
Illini pitchers gave up just five hits, but two were home runs. Julie Meyer belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the second, while Haley Woods hit her third home run off Illinois this season with a two-run shot in the third inning.
DeVreese threw three innings of hitless ball in relief for the Illini. This marked only the second time this year that Illinois, who came into the contest hitting .293, had been shut out this season.
