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!

Good Pitching!

This was a pitching duel for the first 3 innings. Then our girls put up 4 runs in the 4th. In the 5th, the Razorbacks rallied, scoring 3 runs before Teags struck out 2 to end the game. In that inning Gianna almost came up with the catch of the year. On a ball hit deep to center field she just missed making a running catch - awesome effort. On another 'almost' play in the 5th, Megs cleanly fielded a sharply hit ball to 3rd and made a laser-beam throw that was too hot to handle!

The game ball went to Rhea for getting 2 of the team's 5 RBIs! She hit the ball hard in both of her at-bats. Way to go Rhea!

Short Handed

On Saturday, our girls played without half of the team. In order to field an official team, we had 2 substitute players from the Wildcats: Karina and Katie. Rhea, Cynthia and Grace all pitched for the first time this year. They all did a great job. We kept it close by scoring 5 runs in a 4th inning rally but came up short.

The game ball went to Grace Hunter for throwing out a runner at 1st base. She also hit the ball very hard during one of her at-bats, so hard that her mom (who was pitching) couldn't get out of the way. Oh, did I mention she pitched the 2nd inning? Awesome job Grace! *Special thanks to Lori Hunter for helping Coach 1st Base and coach pitching and to Jill for keeping score.

Out of Time, Not Out of Gas!

Holy cow - what an exciting game!  The girls rallied in the fifth inning and scored 5 runs to take the lead, but the game was called for time before we could get the final out.  Therefore, the score goes back to the score at the end of the fourth inning (6-3).  Tough way to lose the game after such an impressive 5th inning rally!

There were some terrific game highlights;  Gianna and Cynthia each caught a fly ball, Sophia had three hits, Megs had two hits and was hit by a pitch, and Gianna and Tyler had two hits.  Marissa and Teagan both pitched a three up, three down inning, and Cynthia got hit by a pitch twice and had a hit.

Gianna earned the game ball with her two hits and fly ball catch.  Way to go, G!

Special thanks to Shannon Smith for coaching third and to Lori Hunter for doing an amazing job keeping score. Thanks also to the Pivin kids and Smith kids for helping out during practices and games.  And a huge thanks to all the families for coming out to support and cheer the girls on each game!  (Photos in the slideshow may not be viewable on all mobile devices.)

Illini Tough!

Our girls kept the hitting going for a second game in a row.  Megan made a very nice catch at 3rd base and doubled up the runner to end the Hurricane rally in the 1st.  Probably the best defensive play we've seen all season.  Grace took one off the nose in the 3rd inning but stayed in the game to finish the inning: ILLINI TOUGH!  Gianna had a great game going 3-3, scoring 3 runs and an RBI.  Rhea also had a nice game by going 2 for 3 with a run scored and a whopping 3 RBIs!!!

Though there were many bright spots, the brightest of them all was Cynthia!  She received the game ball for an amazing game at the plate: 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.  A monster game, way to go Cynthia!

The Hits Keep Coming!

Theme for today's game was SMASHball.  The girls hit the ball well today.  Even more important, they ran the bases hard and paid attention to the coaches for running signals.  We asked them to focus on that before today's game and it really made a difference ~ way to go!

The game ball went to Abbey.  She broke out of a mini-slump and exploded with 3 hits including a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI.  Way to go Abbey!  (The photos in the slideshow may not be visible on all mobile devices.)

Lots of "Fight" in our Illini!

Is 'Fighting' Illini the perfect name for our team or what?  In the first inning Gianna hit a double down the line to score the first 2 runs of the game, probably the hardest hit ball we've seen all season.  The game progressed to the 5th where we were ahead 5-2.  The Terrapins scored 4 to take the lead 5-6.  Our team was not ready to quit and scored another run in the 5th to tie the game.  Another tough tie for our girls, but they never give up!

Sophia was awarded the game ball for pitching 2 scoreless innings (3rd and 4th) and got a hit and RBI in the 3rd.  Nice job Sophia!

Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens

Our girls came back for a 2nd game in a row.  In the top of the 5th inning with 1 out and our team down 2 runs Gianna, Sophia and Grace H all got consecutive hits.  With 2 outs and the inning still alive, Marissa delivered a single that drove in our 3rd run and Teagan was hit by a pitch to score the tying run.  Next up was Cynthia who hit a line drive up the middle and Grace H (with some GREAT Hustle) scored the go-ahead run before Teagan was forced out at second.  In the bottom of the 5th, the Sun Devils scored their 5th run to end the contest in a tie.

The game ball went to Tyler for getting hits off of player pitchers in her first 2 at bats.  She also scored a run in the first inning and made a nice play at second base to end a Sun Devils rally in the 3rd. (Slideshow photos may not be visible on all mobile devices.)

Tough Loss, Tough Girls!

Wednesday we played the Aggies who had a very good pitcher.  In this competitive contest, our team came back in the 3rd inning to take the lead and the Aggies took it right back in the bottom of the inning.  In the top of the 5th inning our team rallied for 4 runs and the game was called due to time.  Our girls never quit in this very frigid (and dark) game and we're very proud of them!

The game ball went to Marissa who who went 3 for 3 with an RBI and pitched a scoreless 4th keeping our team close in this 1 run contest.  Way to go Marissa!! (Slideshow may not be visible on all cell phones.)

First Game

What a great way to start the season! The coaches and I couldn't be more proud of your girls. They are great listeners and so easy to coach.

The game ball went to Grace Smith for outstanding defensive plays at first base and pitching great in her first time on the mound.  Way to go Grace!

Here is a slideshow (may not be visible on some mobile devices) from our first game, enjoy!

Coach Kullen

Our Team

Manager, Phil Kullen Coaches, Kevin Piven / Ed Smith Cynthia Calderon

Sophia Charbonneau

Marissa Corsi

Grace Hunter

Tyler Kullen

Teagan Piven

Gianna Schuster

Rhea Shah

Abigail Smith

Grace Smith

Megan Smith