May 23, 2010

Box Score

COLUMBIA, MO. - Illinois fell to Missouri by a score of 4-2 Sunday afternoon at University Field in Columbia, Mo. to end their season with a record of 45-8. The record is the second best in Illinois' history along with the 2004 season record in which the team also had 45 wins.

"I'm proud of all of the players and what they did this season, it's not easy," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "All we can do is decide to be more competitive and work harder next year."

Freshman Pepper Gay came in for Monica Perry in the third inning facing a tough lineup of Tiger batters. She didn't allow any runs, and she struck out three Missouri batters. Gay finishes this season with a record of 16-1.

"Pepper did a great job coming in for relief; she came in and tried to keep the game where it was at," Sullivan said. "I'm excited about where Pepper, Monica and Jackie are going to take this team as a pitching staff."

Second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz stole her 36th base of the season in the first inning after reaching first off of a Missouri error. She ranks first in Illinois' history for stolen bases above Rachelle Coriddi who stole 23 bases in 2003 and 2006. First baseman Meredith Hackett came up with a base hit advancing Zymkowitz to third, she then tied the score at 1-1, coming home off of another Missouri error.

Hackett sent a home run over the left center fence in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 4-2 score. The homer marks Hackett's 16th home run of the season, tying her at second in Illinois' history for homeruns in a season.

Missouri will face Oregon in the NCAA Super Regional. This is the second consecutive season in which the team will see Super Regional play.