April 11, 2009

Box Score

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Illinois battled the No. 16 Ohio State Buckeyes through three scoreless innings before falling, 5-0, on a windy Saturday afternoon at Buckeye Field. The Illini drop to 22-11 (5-3 Big Ten), while the Buckeyes improve to 31-6 (8-1 Big Ten).

Second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz reached base at least once for the fifth time in the last six games, making it 31 out of 33 contests she has been a threat on the base-paths.

After shutting out Ohio State through the first three innings and allowing just two hits during the span, Illini pitcher Monica Perry (17-9) took the loss. Perry tossed five innings, allowing five runs on six hits while fanning four Buckeyes. OSU pitcher Kim Reeder (16-3) went the distance to pick up the win, giving up three hits but striking out just three Illini.

Leftfielder Hollie Pinchback nearly broke up the pitcher's duel in the top of the fourth as she smoked a deep fly ball to right field, but the strong wind blowing toward home plate kept the ball in the park for a routine fly.

OSU shortstop Alicia Herron put an end to the stalemate in the bottom half of the inning, as she drove a three-run homer to left field that just cleared the wall to put the Buckeyes up, 3-0.

Ohio State tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth thanks to a pair of singles, a walk and wild pitch.

The Illini strung together some offense in the top of the seventh when third baseman Kelley Wedel knocked a one-out single and first baseman Meredith Hackett followed with a double to centerfield. It was too little, too late though as Reeder retired the next two batters to cap off the 5-0 win.

The two teams wrap up the series on Sunday with another 1 p.m. (CT) first pitch at Buckeye Field.