Michigan St & Michigan
After over a week of games being cancelled due to rain, snow, and cold the Illini took the field with hot bats Friday vs. Michigan St. Shana Diller started things off quickly with a solo home run in the first. She followed this with a grand slam in her next at bat. She then hit another homerun in the 2nd game of the double header, tying her with Jenna Hall for the Illini Single Season Record. Shanna wasn’t the only one going yard, as Illini batters teamed up for 9 big flys. Angelena Mexicano and Sidney Lisey joined in on the fun in the first game, and Makenzie Smith, Lana Armstrong, and Sarah Bryers joined Mexicano and Diller with round trippers in the second game. Oh yea, and the Illini won both games 9-6.
Sunday started off ugly against the #8 Wolverines. Illinois committed 5 errors while only collecting 4 hits off Michigan’s star pitcher in a 5-0 loss. The second game seemed to be much of the same as the Wolverines took a 3-0 lead into the 7th. After a Sarah Bryers walk, Hope Howell made it to third base on a throwing error to first, then Shanna Diller hit a majestic game tying homerun. In the 8th Illinois got the leadoff girl aboard, and with two outs Sarah Bryers hit her 4th home run of the year for the game winner. Final Score 5-3 in 8.
Current Record 26-15 (5-3 Big Ten)
ILLINI LEADERS
Batting Average: Lana Armstrong .421
Home Runs: Shanna Diller 14
RBI: Lana Armstrong 41
Stolen Bases: Angelena Mexicano 8
Wins: Vicky Brown 15
ERA: Vicky Brown 3.27
Strikeouts: Vicky Brown 87