Badgers Suffer Another Heartbreaker to Illinois
May 01, 2004 | Softball
UW pitcher Eden Brock shut down opposing batters through nine strong innings, but Illinois cashed in for a run in the bottom of the tenth inning to sneak past the Badgers 1-0 Saturday afternoon at the Goodman Softball Diamond.
With the loss Wisconsin falls to 27-25 overall and 5-11 in conference. Illinois improves to 36-17-1 and 11-5 in the Big Ten.
Working in the pitcher's circle for the full ten innings, Brock worked the longest game of her career, striking out a career-high seven and walking none. The freshman scattered 13 hits and stranded nine Illini runners with the help of some sparking Wisconsin defense.
Illinois recorded hits in all but two innings, including a leadoff double in the third, but were unable to get on the board early as they were stopped by a solid Wisconsin defense, led by junior catcher Boo Gillette.
Behind the plate, Gillette gunned down three Illinois runners, including a crucial stop in the bottom of the seventh. In the fourth, Brock forced Erin Montgomery to line into an inning-ending double play, tying the Badgers' single-season record of 18 twin-killings.
Illinois finally broke through in the bottom of the tenth inning when Janna Sartini began the frame with a double to center and advanced on Leann Butcher 's bunt single. Sartini broke the scoreless tie and ended the contest as she scored on Erin Jones' sacrifice fly to center field.
Wisconsin did mount one potentially dangerous threat in the top of the seventh when Ana Miller led off with a single up the middle. Miller advanced on Emily Friedman's sacrifice, but was left stranded following two grounders.
Sherri Taylor earned the win for the Illini, allowing just six hits while striking out seven and walking only one in the complete-game effort. Rachelle Coriddi led Illinois at the plate with three hits.
The Badgers are next in action on Sunday at the Goodman Diamond as they host Iowa in a doubleheader starting at noon.
