Feb. 17, 2008
Oklahoma Box Score
UCLA Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Illinois' bats came alive and senior pitcher Claire DeVreese delivered a career-best performance as the Illini knocked off the #6 UCLA Bruins, 6-2, in the nightcap of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic. The Orange and Blue fell to the No.9-ranked Oklahoma Sooner, 3-1 earlier in the day.
With the win over UCLA, the Illini defeated their highest ranked opponent since knocking off No. 5 Stanford in 2006. It is Illinois first win over a ranked team this season.
"This is a great win for this program and a great win for Illinois because we did something with the opportunity that was in front of us," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "We knew we were going to have to dig in at the plate and a lot of different people stepped up."
Claire DeVreese (5-2) was clutch in the circle for Illinois, working out of jams throughout the game and carrying a shutout into the seventh inning. The righty finished the game with seven strikeouts and allowed two runs on eight hits while walking just one batter.
"I've said in different games that it was the best game of Claire's career, but she surpassed it again, staying focused throughout the game," Sullivan said. "Everyone in UCLA's lineup is a threatening hitter and she didn't really give them a chance to get any momentum going."
Illinois jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the fourth thanks to an RBI-double off the bat of Hope Howell. The Orange and Blue nearly put two runs across, but pinch runner Ashley Conrad was thrown out in a close play at the plate.
The Illini blew the game open in the fifth, adding three more runs to take a 4-0 lead. With runners at first and second, Illinois pulled a double steal to put two in scoring position before catcher Lana Armstrong slapped a single to left field, scoring second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz and advancing shortstop Angelena Mexicano to third. Designated player Hollie Pinchback followed with a double to the gap in right-center, plating both runners.
Illinois added a run in each of the final innings, as centerfielder Sarah Bryers drove in one on a base-hit in the sixth while Armstrong added her second RBI in the seventh on a one-out double.
"It was exciting to see those different offensive contributions," Sullivan said. "Sarah Bryers stepped up with an RBI-single, along with big at-bats from Armstrong, Diller and Pinchback."
The Bruins threatened several times throughout the game, stranding 10 runners overall. UCLA battled back in the bottom of the seventh, plating two runs, but DeVreese again worked out of a bases-loaded jam to end the inning and pick up the win.
In game one of the day, the Sooners put a pair of runs on the board in the second inning. After a leadoff walk, OU second baseman Traci Dickenson slapped an RBI double to put the first run across. Dickenson later scored on an Illini error to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead. Oklahoma added its third run in the fourth after three singles.
Illinois mustered just two hits off Oklahoma pitcher D.J. Mathis (5-0). One of those two hits came in the second, as catcher Lana Armstrong belted her second home run of the season over the leftfield fence. Mathis, though, would retire the next 18 batters in a row to seal the 3-1 win for Oklahoma.
"Tonight was a challenge because this morning we really didn't have our offense going and we struggled to get any momentum in the Oklahoma game," Sullivan said. "If you get too caught up in the past or in the future, then you don't play in the present and that's why I'm really proud of our team because we really played in the present against UCLA."
The Illini wrap up the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic against UC Davis. Illinois will take on the Aggies on Sunday at 10 a.m. (PT).
