Southern Illinois University
35-14
Illinois
34-17-1
Softball Loses Nightcap 3-2, Swept By Illinois
04/27/2004 | 12:00:00 | Softball
April 27, 2004
Urbana, Ill. - Illinois (34-17-1) came from behind to beat Southern Illinois 3-2 in the nightcap of a doubleheader and sweep the Salukis (35-14) on Tuesday at Eichelberger Field.
For the second straight game Illinois took the first lead of the game. SIU made a two-base error in the outfield on a pop up, followed by an Illini ground ball and a passed ball, to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.
The Salukis responded by taking the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Amanda Clifton singled to open the frame and one out later, Cassidy Scoggins hit her first home run as a Saluki, a two-run shot to centerfield, giving SIU a 2-1 advantage.
The Fighting Illini came right back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth inning to retake the lead. With two outs, Illinois picked up consecutive singles before Julie Balicki doubled to drive in two runs for a 3-2 Illini lead.
SIU threatened to retake the lead in the top of the sixth inning, chasing reliever Jackelyn Diekemper aftera leadoff double by Katie Louis and a walk by Lauren Roney. Illinois' game one starter Amanda Fortune came on to face the top of the Saluki order. Jenny Doehring sacrificed Louis and Roney over a base and Samantha Carter popped up for the second out. Katie Jordan, who homered off Fortune in game one, was intentionally walked to load the bases. Fortune forced Haley Viefhaus to pop to shortstop to end the threat.
SIU starter Ashley Hamby (6-2) allowed two earned runs, three runs and five hits in four innings. Alison Thompson pitched two innings of relief, allowing one hitand striking out one.
Illinois starter Sherri Taylor gave up two runs, five hits and a walk with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings before Jackelyn Diekemper (3-0) came on in relief in the fourth inning. Diekemper allowed four hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Fortune earned her fourth save with two innings of one-hit relief.
Louis (3-for-4), Clifton (2-for-4), Scoggins (1-for-4, HR 2 RBI), Haley Viefhaus (1-for-4), Adie Viefhaus (1-for-3) and Doehring (1-for-3) led the SIU offense.
The Salukis travel to Bradley for a three-game series this weekend.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Diekemper (3-0)
L: Hamby (6-2)
S: Fortune (4)
Batting:
2B: Louis 1
HR: Scoggins 1
RBI: Scoggins 2
SH: Doehring 1 ; Carter 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Andrews 1 ; Scoggins 1
Batting:
2B: Montgomery 1 ; Balicki 1
RBI: Balicki 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Montgomery 1 ; O'Connell 1 ; Planinsek 1
SB: Butcher 1
CS: Butcher 1
