March 9, 2006
Box Score
CLEARWATER, FL-The Fighting Illini (5-8) dropped their first game to Coastal Carolina 7-2, but answered in the nightcap pounding Fordham 8-3 in pool play action at the USF Adidas Invitational.
Coastal Carolina (5-12) out hit the Illini 8-4 and capitalized on three Illinois errors in taking the first game of pool play and notching their first win against the Illini in four appearances.
The Illini answered after the Lady Chanticleer's struck first, tying the score at 2-2 after the first inning. However, the Illini could not manufacture any more runs the rest of the game. Coastal Carolina scored four in the third and one in the sixth inning in handing starting pitcher Claire DeVreese (3-3) the loss.
Rachelle Coriddi, Shanna Diller, Angelina Mexicano and Courtney Hoogeveen each had one hit on the game.
After a disappointing loss earlier this morning the Fighting Illini came out possessed in their second game, slamming the Rams for eight runs and 11 hits.
The Illini's drive started in the second when three walks juiced the bases which lead to a compact contact single to leftfield from leadoff batter Rachelle Coriddi scoring Mexicano from third. Diller followed with a single of her own this time to right field scoring two.
With the score 3-0 the Illini scared off starting pitcher Rachael Wiggins; scoring three runs on two hits and working her for five walks in 1.2 innings.
The Illini improved on their 3-0 lead going into the fourth when with two out and two on first baseman Jenna Hall lined a double to the wall scoring Courtney Hoogeveen from second. Kacey Coonce followed with a single adding to the Illini lead 5-0.
Fordham responded in the bottom of the fourth when designated hitter Lisa Busciacco hit a three run homerun putting the Rams on the board 5-3.
Again, the Illini cushioned their lead in the fifth when Katrina Ross hit a towering ball behind first base that dropped fair and hustle base running placed Ross on third. Scoring on the play was Molly Lawhead from second after starting the inning by getting hit by a pitch and then getting even by stealing second. By the end of the inning the Illini added yet another run increasing their lead 7-3.
Jenna Hall's second hit of the game came in the sixth in the form of a solo homerun that put the Illini up 8-3 going into the bottom of the sixth.
Hoogeveen picked up her third hit of the game in the seventh as the Illini threatened but were unsuccessful in scoring in their fifth consecutive inning.
Claire DeVreese came in relief for Coonce in the final inning, preserving the win. Coonce improves her record to 2-5 going six innings and allowing three runs on three hits and striking out two.
The Illini return to action tomorrow against #23 Virginia Tech at 10 CST and Tennessee-Chattanooga at 3 CST.
