Feb. 26, 2012
Box Score
CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orange and Blue softball squad closed competition at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Sunday morning with a loss to Boston University, 8-1. Illinois out-hit the Terriers, 8-7, with freshman right fielder Jess Perkins pacing the offense with the first three-hit collegiate game of the Orland Park, Ill., native's career. Redshirt-junior Jessica Davis added a 2-for-4, one-run scored performance for the Illini.
"We are disappointed at the end of the tournament," Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan said. "I felt we started playing well from Friday's game against Hofstra on through yesterday evening's win over Massachusetts. I think the team has learned that one thing they can control is the energy they bring to the field, and we have to find ways to win. Boston got their big hits before we could get ours, and that was the story of today's game."
Boston University (3-2 overall) broke the scoreless tie in the fifth after Brittany Clendenny led off the inning with a double to left-center field. Kenrda Meadows took over as a pinch runner for Clendenny and Emily Roesch reached on an error by senior third baseman Kelley Wedel to put Terries on first and second with no one out. After junior pitcher Pepper Gay took over for starter Jackie Guy in the circle, Mandy Fernandez and Melanie Delgado drew back-to-back walks to score Meadows from third for the 1-0 lead.
Erica Casacci added an RBI-single to right field to score BU's second run while Chelsea O'Connor plated the third with a groundout to shortstop, scoring Mandy Fernandez on the play. With runners on second and third, Gay settled in, securing a fly out to redshirt-senior Danielle Vaji in left field to end the frame.
The Terriers added five runs in the top of the seventh inning to go ahead, 8-0, scoring three on a double from Megan Volpano while one additional run scored on an error and the final one was plated through a sacrifice fly out.
The Illini scored their lone run of the contest in the bottom of the seventh. Davis sent a line drive down the left field line with two outs and Hackett followed with a single up the middle. With runners on first and second, Perkins sent a looping line drive into right field, scoring Davis from second on the play.
Illinois first threatened with a pair of base runners in the second inning. Perkins reached on a single through the left side while, two batters later, Vaji beat out a grounder to third base for an infield single. With runners on first and second, freshman second baseman Jami Schkade sent a ground ball down the third base line. Boston University third baseman Megan Volpano was playing close to the bag, ranging toward the line to snag the ball and touch third for the force out.
The Illini continued to make Boston University starting pitcher Holli Floetker work in the third inning, loading the bases with two outs. Two batters into the inning, Wedel singled through the left side while Hackett drew a full-count walk two batters later. Perkins followed with a single to the shortstop to load the bases; however, sophomore designated player Jenna Mychko hit a fly out to right field to end the frame.
Guy took the loss, falling to 2-5 on the season. The Buena Park, Calif., native pitched into the fifth inning, allowing two runs, one earned, on three walks and two hits. Gay followed with two frames of work, pitching into the seventh while giving up six runs, three earned, on four hits and three walks. Freshman Shelese Arnold relieved Gay during the final inning, giving up one hit and one walk.
Illinois (6-7) will continue its season at the Eller Media Stadium Classic in Las Vegas, hosted by UNLV. The Orange and Blue will face Florida Atlantic to open and close action in Nevada, while also battling New Mexico State, Seton Hall and the host-Rebels.
