March 24, 2009

Box Score

URBANA, Ill. - Host Illinois (17-7) scored five runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to erase a two-run deficit and defeat Loyola University Chicago (13-9), 7-4 this afternoon at Eichelberger Field. The Ramblers played their longest game since a 6-3 victory at Wright State on April 19, 2008, and each of their last two defeats have now come in extra-inning affairs.

Playing in windy conditions that featured gusts over 40 miles per hour, Loyola jumped out to a lead in the top of the third inning thanks to pitcher Amy Solava's solo home run, her first of the year, to left field. Solava would hold the Illini at bay until the bottom of the fifth, when the hosts scored a pair of runs to take a 2-1 edge. Illinois opened the fifth inning with back-to-back singles, followed by a walk, then a run-scoring single by Hollie Pinchback and a sacrifice fly by Lana Armstrong put the Orange and Blue ahead.

Loyola would not trail for long however, as the resilient Ramblers tied the game in the top of the sixth inning on Angie Funston's team-leading fifth home run of the year. Both teams would squander numerous chances until Loyola, which was playing its fourth extra-inning game in the last five contests, finally broke through in the 11th inning.

Kristen Medrud opened the 11th with a walk and Kristin Guska reached on a fielder's choice sacrifice bunt to give the Ramblers runners on first and second. Following an out, both Medrud and Guska moved up a base on a wild pitch before Kaycee Tharp ripped a triple into the gap in right center to score both runners and give Loyola a 4-2 lead.

Illinois pulled off the comeback in the bottom of the 11th, cutting the deficit to 4-3, then tied the contest on a Loyola error with two outs. Hope Howell's three-run homer to right center one batter later provided the winning margin.

Tharp finished the day 3-for-5 to lead a Loyola offense that totaled nine hits, while Solava and Lauren Arceneaux had two hits each. Solava went the distance, allowed only two earned runs and struck out five, yet was saddled with the hard-luck loss.

Loyola looks to improve to 3-1 against in-state foes when it travels to Bradley Thursday (March 26) for a single game beginning at 4 p.m.