Illinois Eeks Past Badgers 2-0
April 30, 2004 | Softball
Illinois scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning to sneak past the Wisconsin softball team 2-0 under rainy conditions at Goodman Diamond Friday night. The Illini managed just two hits in the contest, but it was enough to pick up the win.
The Badgers' Katie Layne and Illinois' Amanda Fortune locked up in a classic pitcher's dual. Layne allowed only two hits in the game and faced just three Illinois batters in five of the seven innings, but still suffered the loss.
The Illini (37-15-1, 10-5 Big Ten) had a total of three baserunners reach base in the top of the first on a hit and two UW errors, but were unable to tally.
Layne retired 12 straight Illinois batters from the first through fifth innings before Janna Sartini reached on an error with two-away in the fifth. However, pinch runner Molly Lawhead was cut down attempting to steal second by Boo Gillette to end the frame.
Meanwhile, Fortune was equally effective in the pitcher's circle for the Illini. The Illinois senior worked around singles by the Badgers in the second and third innings and a walk in the fourth.
For all of her effectiveness through the first five innings, Layne struggled in the sixth as Illinois scored twice to post the game's only runs. Layne issued her first two walks of the contest in the inning, giving the Illini runners at first and second with two outs. Two wild pitches helped Rachelle Coriddi score the game 's first run as Jenna Hall advanced to third. A single to right by Lindsey Hamma scored Hall to push Illinois' lead to 2-0.
Singles by Sam Polito helped give the Badgers runners at first and second with only one out in the bottom of the sixth. But Fortune settled down and got Gillette and Diana Consolmagno to pop out to end the threat.
Emily Friedman had a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh, but the Badgers were unable to rally to tie the game. Fortune stretched her streak of not allowing a run in Big Ten play to 29 innings in earning the win. She struck out four and walked one while allowing five hits in improving to 22-9.
Layne struck out five and surrendered just the two hits and two walks in falling to 12-11. Polito had two hits to pace the Badgers offensively.
The Badgers and the Illini will wrap up their two-game set Saturday when action gets underway at noon at Goodman Diamond.
