April 25, 2008
Box Score
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Catcher Lana Armstrong went deep for the eighth time this season and starting pitcher Claire DeVreese shut out Indiana (14-32, 4-11 Big Ten) through six innings, but the Hoosiers battled back in the seventh to capture a 6-3 win over Illinois (27-27, 6-9 Big Ten) on Friday evening at the IU Softball Field. Armstrong finished the day 2-for-4 and her home run marked the 12th time in the last 14 games that the Illini cleared the fence at least once.
DeVreese (19-18) blanked the Hoosiers through six, allowing just five hits and one walk during the span. The righthander prevented Indiana from stringing together any offense through the first six innings, as the Hoosiers first five hits came over five different innings.
Armstrong got the offense rolling with a leadoff home run in the top of the second, taking a 2-0 pitch over the rightfield wall for the first run of the game. The Illini tacked on another run when rightfielder Hope Howell moved around the bases after a fielder's choice and passed ball then scored on an error by the pitcher to give Illinois a 2-0 lead.
Howell was also responsible for driving in Illinois' third run in the third inning. Armstrong reached on a fielder's choice and pinch runner Katie Gaitros later scored on Howell's RBI-single to right field.
The Illini took the 3-0 lead into the bottom of the seventh when Indiana's offense came alive. After the first batter of the inning reached on an error, the Hoosiers followed with a single and a walk to load the bases before pinch hitter Anna Olson cut Illinois' lead to one with a two-RBI single. Another walk re-loaded the bases for the Hoosiers before designated player Sara Olson drilled the ball over the centerfield wall for the walk-off grand slam and capped off Indiana's 6-3 comeback.
The two teams will square off again on Saturday in the series finale beginning at 1 p.m. ET/Noon CT. The Orange and Blue then make their final regular season trip to Purdue for a doubleheader beginning at noon ET/11 a.m. CT.
