March 24, 2006

Illinois-Princeton Box Score
Illinois-Santa Clara Box Score

Palo Alto, Calif. - After suffering a two-hit shutout in game one, the Illini rebounded for a 6-1 victory over Santa Clara at the Stanford Invitational Friday. Illinois takes a 10-13 record into Saturday's contests with No. 5 Stanford and UC-Davis.

"We're never happy with a split," said Illinois Head Coach Terri Sullivan. "We came out a little flat in the first game, but did a nice job of regrouping and getting our bats going in the second game."

After throwing a five-hit shutout Sunday vs. Southern Utah, Claire DeVreese continued her solid work in the circle. DeVreese scattering six singles, yet was the hard luck losing pitcher against Princeton. In the following game, she entered the game in relief in the bottom of the fourth and gave up just one hit and no runs in collecting the victory and improving to 8-5 on the season.

"Claire DeVreese showed the leadership we expect from her at this point," said Sullivan. "She pitched exceptional in that first game; we just couldn't give her any run support. In the second game, she did a great job of getting ground balls and letting our defense do the job."

Princeton right-hander Erin Snyder (4-2) stifled the Illini in the opener, allowing just two baserunners - an infield single from Molly Lawhead and a bloop single from Jenna Hall. Snyder struck out nine and retired 12 in a row at one time.

Princeton (8-6) scored one run in the second on an RBI single from Jackie Araneo in the second and a run-scoring single by Snyder in the third. DeVreese allowed just three base runners in the rest of the way, but the Illini bats could not come alive.

Things were a bit different in second game of the day as the Illini pounded out 10 hits and took advantage of three Santa Clara (10-17) errors. Despite banging her knee at the end of the first game, Jenna Hall battled through it and reached base three out of four times. The only time she didn't was in the fourth when she drove home the fourth run of the game on a ground out.

"Jenna Hall is our fearless leader," Sullivan said. "Throughout the season you are going to have to overcome physical and mental setbacks. I thought her battling through showed more leadership on her part."

Kacey Coonce was 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, and every Illinois player reached base at least once during the game. Sophomore shortstop Angelena Mexicano and freshman catcher Lana Armstrong each singled home runs as the Illini plated three unearned runs in the third.

In the fourth inning, Rachelle Coriddi singled to right field to lead off the inning, stole her 16th base of the year, advanced to third on a wild pitch and slid in just under the tag on the Hall ground out.

The Illini batters hit the ball hard against Santa Clara starting pitcher Liz Couter (2-9) in the sixth. Kisten Martin led off with a single to center and pinch runner Kristin Schnake advanced to second on a Brittany Koester sacrifice. Molly Lawhead singled to left putting runner on first and third with no out. Freshman second baseman Courtney Hoogeveen delivered a clutch base hit to left, plating Schnake. The final run scored on a ground out off the bat of Coriddi.