On Fire!

The Illini shut out the first place Sun Devils with a score of 8-0!   The game began with Sophia striking out three batters and only allowing two hits in the first inning. The Illini began strong with solid hits, starting with a monster line drive from Grace H to center field. She caught a fly ball at second base showing great defense on the field in the bottom of the same inning. The second inning the bats were swinging BIG……the team rounded the entire batting order to score 5 runs.  In the third inning Marissa struck out one batter and held the Sun Devils to one hit. Cynthia had a great hit to left center and earned an RBI in the bottom of the third. The final out of the fourth inning was obtained with a throw from shortstop (Grace H) to third (Megan) for the force out. The Illini were held scoreless in the bottom of the 4th. The top of the fifth started with great fielding and throw from Cynthia at second to get the runner out at first. The final out of the game was a force out at second by shortstop, Megan. Special thanks to Sierra for filling in for our team during our last regular season game.

It was determined by all the coaches that the game ball be awarded to Grace Hunter for having 2 line drive hits to the outfield, 2 RBIs, catching a fly ball, and having a great play at short to get the force out at third.

Winners From the Start

The Fighting Illini were so close to shutting out the Terrapins with a 9-1 win.  We began strong with three hits (two to the outfield) from the first three batters; Rhea, Sophia, and Gianna.  The hits continued during the second inning where three runs were scored.  A great throw from Teagan to first base, obtained the final out of the bottom of the second  - finishing the inning without a run from the home team.  The terrapins were able to obtain one run within the fourth inning which was answered with the Illini scoring 5 runs within the top of the Fifth.  Special thanks to the two Wildcat substitutes, Karina and Lauren, for filling in and giving us a complete team for the game.

The game ball was rewarded to Rhea, who had 3 hits from the Terrapins pitchers and had two RBIs.  She had a strong hit every time she was at bat!

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!

We had yet another come from behind win tonight (9-8)!  After giving up 5 runs in the 1st inning, our girls scored 3 in the 2nd, 4 in the 3rd, and won the game storing 2 in the 4th!  Marissa and Sophia both pitched a scoreless inning and Cynthia had a monster double.

Megan earned the game ball after catching a low line drive at 3rd for the first out of the final inning, got the first hit to start the winning rally, and scored the tying run.  What a game!

Comeback Game of the Season

Tonight we played the Razorbacks and it may just have been the most exciting game of the season! We gave up 5 runs in the 2nd but the Illini never give up! In the third inning, Coach Kevin made a deal with the girls that we'd take them to Dairy Queen if they won the game or if someone hit a home run. Our girls must have taken the deal seriously in the 3rd when they got 5 hits (and two runs) and then Teagan struck out the side.  Our streak continued in the 4th when our girls scored 5 and Marissa struck out the side.  We won the game (7-5) in true Illini fashion!

Teagan earned the game ball going two for three ( a double and a single),  struck out the side in the 3rd, and had two RBI's!

A Close One

We played the Hurricanes today and came up short (4-3).  We made a little comeback in the 4th, scoring two runs, but got our third out leaving two girls on base.  We were "this close" to a terrific comeback.

Grace earned the game ball by getting two hits (a double and a single) and two RBI's.  The double Grace hit was the hardest hit ball we've seen her hit all year!

Tough Opponents, Tough Illini

Tonight we played the Sun Devils and lost the game 3-1.  The girls played tough and held the first place team to only 3 runs.  The highlight of the game was the "Third Inning Sophia Show", where Sophia caught a line drive, threw out a runner at first, and struck out a batter for the last out.  Exciting game - very exciting defensive inning!

Shut 'Em Out!

We had an incredible game again on Saturday!  The girls played their hearts out and won the game 4-0 (the Aggies did score 3 runs in the 5th, but the game got called for time, therefore the score reverted back to the 4th inning).

Highlights:

• Marissa, Abbey, Cynthia and Gianna got two hits each
• Sophia made two outs in the 4th, throwing them out (to Teagan) at first
• Teagan earned 2 RBI's
• Gianna and Tyler each caught a fly ball in the 3rd
• The girls had 6 hits (and all 4 runs) in the 3rd inning.  Five out of six hits were made with 2 outs.  That's the Illini "never give up" play!

Megan earned the game ball with her incredible defensive plays, one hit, and an RBI.  Way to play, Megan!