Fighting Illini Drop First Two Games of February Freezer

Starkville, Miss. - On the first day of the February Freezer hosted by Mississippi State, the Illinois softball team dropped a pair of one-run decisions. The Illini opened the tournament against UT- Martin, and despite leading much of the game, lost 6-5 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Looking to avenge the loss, the Orange and Blue made a late comeback effort against Mississippi State but fell short by a 9-8 decision.

"We just hadn't hit our stride or got going on all cylinders in these early games, no one expected that," shared head coach Terri Sullivan. "It was in a loss, but, we finally found our identity in game in a great come from behind fight. Every player on this team felt that, and every player is ready to move forward with determination."

Illini Can't Hold On To Lead, Strand Eight

Box Score (PDF)

Illinois did not trail in their February Freezer opener against UT-Martin until the final pitch had been thrown. The Illini were the first to strike in the 3 p.m. contest as Sullivan's crew got on the board with an Emily Brodner home run, her first of the season. UI plated a pair in the top of the fourth inning on only one hit thanks to a couple of walks in the frame.

UT-Martin added two tallies on a home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to pull within one run at 3-2. The Illini felt the pressure and added a pair of runs in the top of the fifth frame after Ruby Rivera doubled to left center and touched the plate on a Nicole Evans home run to put the Orange and Blue up 5-2.

The Illini held the UT-Martin crew hitless in the bottom of the fifth but the Skyhawks returned the favor in the top of the next inning. In the bottom of the sixth inning Illinois watched a trio of runners cross the plate for UTM and headed into the final stanza knotted at 5-5.

Leigh Farina reached on a fielder's choice in the top of the final inning as Jess Perkins was sent back to the bench for the third out. Jade Vecvanags (0-1) replaced Shelese Arnold (0-3) on the mound for the final frame and ultimately was given her first pitching decision after the Skyhawk's walk-off single brought the winning run to the plate.

Four Home Runs Not Enough Against Hosts

Box Score (PDF)

Despite a four-run seventh inning, Illinois' late comeback wasn't enough against Mississippi State, as the hosts topped the Illini 9-8. With two innings in the books, Illinois already trailed 3-0 to the Bulldogs. In the top of the third, a Carly Thomas base hit to centerfield brought Danielle Trezzo home to get the UI team on the scoreboard.

Illinois would turn in another single-run inning in the top of the fourth as Rivera tallied her second home run of the season. Mississippi State put together a five-run frame to push the margin to an 8-2 Bulldog advantage. Following a scoreless fifth inning, Illinois was back on the board with a two-run homer by Brittany Sanchez in the top of the sixth. In the bottom of the frame, the Bulldogs struck again to go up 9-4.

Sullivan's crew refused to hang their hats though, and came out with a four-score frame in the top of the seventh inning. Evans notched her second home run of the day, and third of the season, to pull the Illini within two. Kate Giddens was sent to pinch-hit for Perkins and delivered a home run to left field to make the score 9-8, where it would stay.

Breanna Wonderly started the game as pitcher for Illinois and was given the loss on the evening moving her record to 1-2 on the mound. Vecvanags was on the mound for the final three innings and allowed just three runs on three hits while striking out three as well.

Next Up: The Illini return to action tomorrow afternoon, looking to improve upon their 1-6 record. Illinois will meet up with Louisiana Tech at 4:30 p.m. followed by a showdown with Lamar at 7 p.m.