March 13, 2011
Box Score
COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Illinois softball team fell to 18th-ranked Missouri during the Tiger Invitational finale, 8-0, on Sunday. Audrey Gallien led the Illini at the plate, tallying two singles to account for both Illinois hits on the afternoon.
"Audrey came in with the right frame of mind," Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan said. "She turned it up a little bit and put the ball in play. As we go through the season, I think we will continue to see what different players on the team can do."
Missouri opened scoring in the first inning, plating three runners. Jenna Martson doubled in one run before Catherine Lee singled up the middle to bring home two more for the 3-0 lead. The Tigers padded their advantage with two more in the fourth and fifth innings. Ashley Fleming and Nicole Hudson hit back-to-back RBI singles to go up 5-0 at the end of the fourth frame before Marla Schweisberger tallied an RBI single and Fleming walked home a run in the fifth for the 7-0 lead. The Tigers ended the game in the sixth inning by scoring their eighth run on a Taylor Duplechain RBI single through the left side.
"We were putting our bats on the ball to start the game and we had a good first inning of putting the ball in play," Sullivan said. "I thought it was going to be a good sign for what was ahead, given how talented Missouri's starting pitcher Chelsea Thomas is; however, we let them score early. They are good at finding ways to push runs across, they made adjustments and got it done."
Pepper Gay started in the circle for the Illini, allowing five runs on eight hits over 3.2 innings. Jackie Guy closed the game for the Orange and Blue, throwing two frames while giving up three runs.
Up Next: Illinois (9-9 overall) travels to Normal, Ill., to face Illinois State (13-10) on March 15 before heading to Fullerton, Calif., for the Judi Garman Classic from March 18-20. While in California, the Illini will face Fresno State, Cal State Fullerton, San Jose State, #5 Washington and Long Beach State.
