April 8, 2015
Urbana, Ill. - The Illini offense took time to get going, trailing 3-0 in the fifth, but junior Allie Bauch crushed a grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to lead Illinois past Indiana State, 5-3, in the final nonconference home game of the season. The win marks the Orange and Blue's fifth straight at Eichelberger Field and seventh in the past eight games, as Illinois improves to 15-21, while ISU drops to 13-21.
"Winners win in different ways, including when they are not at their best," said head coach Terri Sullivan. "We were flat at the start of the game. Jade and our defense responded with some quick work as the game went on. Ruby won an inning for us and that was key. Coley (Evans) just scorched her ball to ignite the big inning for Allie. Someone different steps up for us every game."
Despite the slow start, the Illini out-hit the Sycamores, 9-4, led by Bauch and Alyssa Gunther, who each went 2-for-4, as Bauch hit the grand slam and Gunther followed with her third triple of the season. The trio of three-baggers ties for the most hit in the Big Ten this season and is sixth all time at Illinois. Ruby Rivera opened the Illini scoring with a solo home run in the fifth.
Jade Vecvanags managed things in the circle for the full game, improving to 9-8 by allowing just three runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts.
"She (Jade) was tough the entire game," said Bauch. "We didn't have her back throughout the entire game and she stepped up at many times so it really gave us momentum. It's good to know that we can trust our pitcher and that she's got our back."
Taylor Lockwood (8-10) pitched to all-but-one Illinois batter, allowing five runs on nine hits and two walks with two Ks, while Abby Klopp got the final Illini batter out to end the sixth.
The Sycamores cracked the scoreboard in the top of the third with a two-out rally. A hit batter, a walk and a passed ball put a pair in scoring position with two down, and Megan Stone made the first Sycamore hit of the day count, driving in two on a single up the middle. Brooke Riemenschneider followed with another single up the middle, but the Illini defense stranded the duo in scoring position.
Indiana State tacked on another run in the top of the fourth with some small ball, using a pinch hit single by Mary Turitto and a pair of sacrifice bunts (the first of whom reached first safely) to put runners on second and third. Kassie Brown singled to no-man's land in front of the pitcher, sending Turitto across the plate, but got caught in a run down between first and second, leading Ashley Dickerson to attempt to score; however Gunther gunned her down at the plate to save a run.
Perkins led off the bottom of the fourth with a single to left, and back-to-back two-out walks loaded the bases, but the Illini left them loaded to trail 3-0 after four.
Rivera put the Illini on the board in the bottom of the fifth, nailing the scoreboard in left center with a solo shot to cut the Sycamores' lead to two.
Illinois took the lead in the bottom of the sixth on a grand slam by Bauch, the first of her career and the third for the Illini in the past 10 days. Nicole Evans got the Illini started with a leadoff single that rocketed off the shortstop into left field. Brittany Sanchez singled through the right side, and Kylie Johnson loaded the bases with two outs on an infield single. Bauch then came through big time, drilling a 1-0 pitch over the wall in left field for a four-run shot to put Illinois on top, 5-3.
"I really like being up (to bat) in high-pressure situations because that's what you live for your entire life," said Bauch. "It's why you play the game. It's games like that that you'll remember. When I'm up to bat, I just kind of relax and remember why I'm playing the game and I do it for my teammates."
Next Up: Illinois hits the road for its first-ever trip to Maryland, facing the newest member of the Big Ten conference for a three-game weekend series. The Illini open the series against the Terrapins at 5 p.m. CT on Friday, April 10, and complete the weekend with Noon CT starts on Saturday and Sunday.
