Illini Split on Day Two of February Freezer

Feb. 14, 2015

Starkville, Miss. - The Fighting Illini split a pair of games Saturday at the February Freezer, falling 3-2 to Louisiana Tech but rebounding to top Lamar, 6-5. The pair of close games followed a Friday doubleheader in which both Illini games were also decided by one run. At the end of the day, Illinois moved to 2-7, while Louisiana Tech sits at 6-4 and Lamar falls to 3-5.

"Tonight was our fourth one-run game on the weekend," said head coach Terri Sullivan. "We needed to grab one of those and did because of some clutch offense, defense, pitching and catching. That is what this game is about.

"Shey and Bre teamed up and did what was asked of them. Perk was at her best when we needed it, and Sanchez, Gunny and Trezz did their jobs from an execution standpoint. The catch Carly made (against Lamar) was HUGE. I haven't seen many better ones under pressure, and it showed our pitchers how much their teammates have their backs. Ruby...what tremendous composure, to go along with only the best gameplay. She is our leader on the field game in and out.

"We are pumped to play the host again tomorrow."

Late Home Run Launches LA Tech Past Illnois, 3-2

Box Score (PDF)

An RBI single by Brittany Sanchez gave the Illini a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, but LA Tech catcher Krysta Tutsch drilled a two-run bomb in the sixth to down the Orange and Blue, 3-2, in their third straight one-run loss. Illinois out-hit the Lady Techsters, 8-6, but left five runners in scoring position, as the Orange and Blue's clutch hitting woe continued.

Alyssa Gunther led the Illini at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a stolen base, and Carly Thomas walked, singled, stole third and scored twice. Sanchez and Danielle Trezzo both singled and stole a base in the fourth inning, and Sanchez and Nicole Evans had the team's two RBI singles.

Allie Bauch led off the bottom of the first with a double down the left-field line, but her teammates were unable to send her across the plate, stranding her on third. Three straight singles by Thomas, Ruby Rivera and Evans plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the third, as Evans drove in Thomas on a base hit through the left side.

Louisiana Tech replied in the top of the fourth, as Pauline Tufi led off with a double to right center and Tutsch tied the game with an RBI single.

Thomas drew a walk to lead off the fifth inning. She stole third, and a two-out single through the right side by Sanchez put Illinois back in front, 2-1.

However, Tutsch struck again in the top of the sixth, nailing a two-run shot to put LA Tech on top, 3-2.

After being handed the lead, Tufi closed out the game for the Lady Techsters, keeping the Illini hitless through the final two innings to seal up the 3-2 victory.

Tufi (1-0) got the win after allowing just one hit and a walk over the final two and two-thirds innings. She replaced Bianca Duran midway through the fifth inning, who was responsible for both runs on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts over four-and-a-third innings.

Breanna Wonderly started in the circle for the Illini, allowing just one run on four hits and a walk. Shelese Arnold (0-4) took over for the final two innings, but gave up the game-winning two-run homer, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk in total.

Perkins' Hot Bat Fuels Illini's 6-5 Victory over Lamar

Box Score (PDF)

Propelled by a 3-hit, 3-RBI effort by Perkins, the Illini topped Lamar, 6-5, in the final game of the day. Illinois scored in four different innings, and despite a late surge by the Cardinals, the Orange and Blue were able to hang on for the one-run victory.

Jess Perkins led the Illini at the plate with a single, an RBI double and a two-run home run. Ruby Rivera walked, singled and doubled, and Sanchez singled, had an RBI double and scored twice.

Jenna Holland was the key to the Cardinals' offense, going 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs.

Gunther led off the bottom of the first with a double to left and was the first to cross the plate, thanks to an error by the third baseman.

The Cardinals took over the lead in the top of the second after a leadoff single and a pair of walks loaded the bases. Holland scored on an error by Bauch at second, and Casey Cromwell sent Stephanie Meeuwsen home on an RBI ground out to make it 2-1 Lamar.

The Illini punched right back, as Sanchez led off the bottom of the second with a single up the middle and Perkins crushed a two-run home run to push Illinois back in front, 3-2.

Lamar threatened again in the top of the third, using a one-out double to put a pair in scoring position with two outs, but Thomas made a fantastic diving catch on a ball off the bat of Brynn Baca in deep right center to save at least two runs and keep the Cardinals from going ahead.

Perkins singled to lead off the fourth inning, and a wild pitch and a passed ball allowed pinch runner Jill Nicklas to score and make it 4-2.

Illinois added some insurance in the bottom of the fifth, as a Sanchez double put a pair in scoring position for Perkins, who came through with her third big hit of the day, a two-run double, to make it 6-2 Illini after five.

A leadoff triple by Holland started a big come back for the Cardinals in the top of the sixth, who used four straight base hits, including a two-run double by Marissa LeJune to pull within one, 6-5, before Arnold bared down for three straight outs without surrendering the lead.

A one-out double by Rivera, her third time on base, was the last of the Illini offense, as the Orange and Blue headed into the top of the seventh holding a one-run advantage. Holland and Baca hit a pair of singles through the right side, but LeJune was unable to come through with another RBI, popping up to Rivera at short to end the game with a final score of 6-5.

Shelese Arnold (1-4) bounced back from the first game of the day to hurl a complete game and pick up her first win of the year. She allowed four earned runs on nine hits and three walks, but topped her counterpart, Laura Napoli (2-3), who gave up six runs, four earned, on 10 hits and three walks over six innings.

Next Up: The Illini close play at the February Freezer on Sunday with a rematch with host Mississippi State, who edged the Illini, 9-8, in a slugfest on Friday night. Due to weather and travel considerations, the pair has moved the start time up to Noon.