April 15, 2010
Box Score
URBANA, Ill.-- Freshman Jackie Guy tossed a complete game shutout, tallying eight strikeouts and only giving up two hits over five innings, as the No. 18 Illini defeated the Eastern Illinois Panthers 8-0 at Eichelberger Field. Illinois' corner outfielders, Hope Howell and Hollie Pinchback, provided the power on Thursday night, each belting a home run out of the park. Howell finished the game 2-for-3 with two RBI, while Pinchback was 1-for-2 with three RBI.
"Jackie has developed into a really special pitcher for us," Coach Terri Sullivan said of Guy. "She just needed an opportunity to throw, and she got that today and made the most of it."
Guy hit two of the first three batters of the game, but settled down and retired eight consecutive Panthers, not giving up a hit until the fourth inning. She had no walks and threw just 91 pitches to pick up her third win of the season, while lowering her season ERA to 0.95.
Illinois grabbed an early 2-0 lead over the Panthers on Howell's bomb in the first, which scored second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz who singled and stole second to start off the game.
With two outs in the third, right fielder Hollie Pinchback was hit by a pitch and first baseman Meredith Hackett reached on a fielding error to put runners on first and second. Illinois took advantage of that error with a two-run single by catcher Audrey Gallien followed by an RBI single from designated player Linnea Detrick, making the score 5-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, Zymkowitz showed off her speed with a bunt single, and advanced to second on a single by Howell. Pinchback then put the game out of reach with a three-run homer over the right field fence, increasing the Orange and Blue lead to 8-0.
Guy gave up a lead-off single in the fifth but then struck out the next three Panthers to give the Illini the mercy-rule victory.
Illinois improved to 29-5 on the season, while Eastern Illinois fell to 20-18. The Illini prepare to face off against the Nittany Lions this weekend at Penn State on Saturday, April 17 at 1 p.m. and Sunday the 18th at noon.
