March 24, 2010
Illinois-Loyola Chicago Game 1 Box Score
Illinois-Loyola Chicago Game 2 Box Score
CHICAGO - The No. 18 Illinois softball team crushed Loyola-Chicago in its first doubleheader of the season, beating the Ramblers 11-3 and 10-2 on the road. The Illini improve to 23-3 heading into Big Ten play, while the Ramblers fall to 6-10 overall. The Orange and Blue continue to dominate their opponents in posting a team batting average of .338 and scoring 10 or more runs in eight games so far this season.
The Illini had four home runs on the day, also tallying a season-high 16 hits in game two. Sophomore first baseman Meredith Hackett and senior outfielder Hope Howell each had five hits in the doubleheader, while Hackett and outfielder Hollie Pinchback each drove in five runs. On the mound, sophomore Monica Perry (11-3) and freshman Pepper Gay (9-0) each got a start and picked up a win.
"We drove the gaps well and took advantage of their mistakes," Illini associate head coach Donna DiBiase said. "Our pitching and defense both came to play today, and when that happens we will have the opportunity to win a lot of games. We were able to make some adjustments on their pitching to get some big hits. Meredith Hackett and Hollie Pinchback both had great days and came up big for us at the plate."
#18 Illinois 11, Loyola-Chicago 3 (Game 1)
The Illini powered their way to an 11-3 victory over the Ramblers in game one, as Howell, Pinchback and designated player Jessica Davis all hit home runs, with Pinchback and Davis both driving in three runs. Perry struck out six to improve to 11-3 on the mound, while centerfielder Ashley Conrad had a game-high three hits.
After two scoreless innings, Illinois got on the scoreboard with two runs in the third. Howell got things started with a one-out home run to right field, her third of the season. After Pinchback was hit by a pitch, first baseman Meredith Hackett doubled to right field to hit in Pinchback and make the score 2-0.
Loyola cut the lead to 2-1 in the fourth, using back-to-back singles and a passed ball to get on the scoreboard. Pinchback's home run came in the fifth, as her bomb to right field drove in two runs after second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz led off the inning with a walk, making the Illinois lead 4-1.
The Illini exploded for four runs in the top of the sixth, effectively putting the game out of reach. Conrad sent a one-out double to center, while shortstop Danielle Vaji then drew a walk. Zymkowitz followed by hitting the Illini's second triple of the season to left center to score both baserunners. With Illinois leading 6-1, Loyola pitcher Hilary Payne came on in relief of starter Amy Solava, but the Orange and Blue rally continued. Howell hit in Zymkowitz with a double down the right field line, then scored herself after a wild pitch and ground-out to push the lead to 8-1.
Three more Orange and Blue runs scored in the top of the seventh, all on the Davis home run. Third baseman Kelley Wedel and catcher Audrey Gallien reached on an error and fielder's choice, respectively, to bring Davis to the plate. The redshirt freshman hit her fifth long ball of the year to left center to give Illinois an 11-1 lead.
Loyola scored twice off of Perry in the bottom of the seventh, both with two outs. Kristen Medrud singled to left field, then Brooke Andresen doubled to left. Both runners came around to score on two wild pitches before Perry ended the game by drawing a fly-out.
The Illini out-hit the Ramblers 11-7 in the game but also left eight runners on base.
#18 Illinois 10, Loyola-Chicago 2 (Game 2)
The Orange and Blue tallied a season-high 16 hits in game two against the Ramblers en route to a dominating 10-2 win. Hackett led the way at the plate, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs. The first baseman now has 27 RBIs on the season to rank first on the team. Howell had three hits, while four other Illini had two. Gay got the win for Illinois on the mound to improve to a perfect 9-0 on the year.
Illinois took a 3-0 lead off of Loyola starter Seana Stillson in the third, as the first five batters reached base safely. Pinchback and Hackett both picked up RBI singles in the inning, while Howell singled then came around to score after a Ramblers' error.
Both Loyola runs scored in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the Illinois lead to 3-2. After catcher Jenna Grim drew a leadoff walk, third baseman Lauren Arceneaux homered to left field off of Gay to score two runs. Gay gave up two more Ramblers' singles before getting out of the jam on two strikeouts and a Loyola batter leaving base early.
The Illini's big inning came in the sixth, as they broke the game open with four runs and five hits, three of which were doubles. Zymkowitz drew a walk, stole second and came home on a double to right center by Pinchback to make the score 4-2. Pinchback scored on a Loyola error with Hackett at the plate, then Wedel doubled to right center for another Illinois run. Davis hit a double of her own to score Gallien, pushing the lad up to 7-2.
In the seventh, a three-run homer by Hackett with two outs made the score 10-2. Vaji and Howell reached on an error and single before Hackett homered to dead center to tally three more RBIs. It was the first baseman's sixth home run of the year, which is tied with Gallien for the team lead.
Gay gave up two runs and struck out two in five innings of work for the win. Senior Ashley Wright pitched the final two innings for Illinois, allowing a hit and striking out two batters.
Up Next: No. 18 Illinois begins Big Ten play this weekend, traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. to face No. 2 Michigan. The Illini and Wolverines will square off this Saturday and Sunday, with both games beginning at 1 p.m. CT.
