Feb. 22, 2008
Alabama Box Score
Florida International Box Score
MIAMI - Shortstop Angelena Mexicano and designated player Hollie Pinchback each belted two-run home runs to lead Illinois to a 10-2 victory in five innings over the Florida International Golden Panthers in the nightcap at the Golden Panther Invitational. The Illini (6-6) fell to top-ranked Alabama, 6-0, earlier in the day.
The Orange and Blue pounded 14 hits against the Golden Panthers (5-8), with five different Illini driving in runs. Mexicano led the way, going 2-for-2 with three RBIs, two walks and three runs scored. Pinchback and catcher Lana Armstrong each finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while second baseman and leadoff hitter Danielle Zymkowitz went 4-for-4 with two runs scored.
"The key to the offense was hitting throughout the lineup," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "I thought our approach at the plate was one of confidence and keeping it simple. That became contagious."
Righthander Claire DeVreese (6-3) picked up the win for the Illini, tossing three innings of three-hit shutout ball in relief. Starter Vicky Brown pitched two innings, allowing two runs on five hits.
"(FIU) threatened a couple of times, getting runners in scoring position with no outs, but Claire did a great job of shutting them down," Sullivan said. "It was a great offensive performance and a good relief job by Claire."
FIU quickly jumped out to the lead thanks to a two-run homer in the first, but Illinois wasted no time responding, putting up a five-spot in the bottom half of the innings. The first six Illini reached base safely to get the offense rolling. After Zymkowitz led off with a single, Mexicano bashed a 3-2 pitch over the left-center wall, tying the game. It was Mexicano's team-leading fourth home run this season and 31st of her career, two shy of tying the school record.
Armstrong followed with an RBI-double and later scored on a throwing error, while rightfielder Hope Howell also drove in a run with a double to left-center, putting Illinois on top, 5-2.
The Golden Panthers threatened in the second with the bases loaded, but Brown worked out of the jam to protect Illinois' lead. FIU had another chance in the third, loading the bases again, but DeVreese came on and picked up a strikeout to end the inning.
Illinois' bats came alive again in the fourth as Zymkowitz sparked the offense with a one-out single. Mexicano plated her with a double then scored on Armstrong's RBI-single. Pinchback followed with a two-run blast to right field, her second of the season.
"We hit long ball and had good execution," Sullivan said. "We hadn't been hitting the ball really well and we needed a game where we had success at the plate. Now we need to carry it over game after game."
Third baseman Shanna Diller sealed the run-rule victory in the bottom of the fifth with a double, scoring Mexicano from first and giving Illinois a 10-2 win.
Earlier in the day, the Illini struggled offensively as Alabama pitcher Kelsi Dunne tossed a no-hitter to lead the Crimson Tide (12-0) to the 6-0 victory.
After DeVreese held the Tide to one hit in the first two innings, Alabama scored in the next four consecutive innings. Designated player Jordan Praytor gave Alabama a 2-0 lead in the third with a two-run double before the Tide added another run in the fourth on an error.
Third baseman Kelley Montalvo made it 4-0 in the fifth with a solo home run then Praytor and leftfielder Dani Woods capped off the 6-0 victory with RBI-singles in the sixth.
Illinois managed just two base-runners in the game, as Zymkowitz and Mexicano reached on an error and a walk, respectively, in the fourth.
The Illini continue the weekend at the Golden Panther Invitational on Saturday, taking on UConn (0-2) at 11 a.m. (ET) before a rematch against No. 1 Alabama at 1:30 (ET).
