May 21, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. — In game one of the 2010 NCAA Softball Columbia Regional, Illinois centerfielder Ashley Conrad broke up a DePaul one-hitter in the fourth inning with a two-run triple and eventually scored on the same play after a throwing error to help the No. 17 Illinois softball team win the first game of the regional over DePaul, 4-2. Illinois starter Monica Perry pitched seven innings of two-run baseball as she scattered six hits and struck out a pair to help Illinois to a game-one victory.

DePaul got a solid start from Becca Heteniak, but walks and hit batters caught up with her in the fourth inning despite carrying a one-hitter into the frame. In all, she faced 18 batters and allowed just two hits, but Conrad's unearned run following the triple in the fourth is what led to the loss. In all, Illinois managed just three hits in the game but was able to take advantage of walks, most notably in the fourth inning.

“In the first game of the tournament, you never really know what to expect and I thought we came out a little non-aggressive at the plate and we really struggled against their starting pitcher for the first couple innings,” Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan said following the game. “But I thought Monica Perry pitched a good game for us. She didn't let them get too much momentum and then Ashley (Conrad) got a big hit for us.”

Illinois threatened in the bottom of the first inning after back-to-back walks, but Heteniak struck out Illinois' Kelley Wedel to end the threat. The pitching duel continued into the second inning as both pitchers put together 1-2-3 innings, highlighted by Heteniak who struck out the side in the frame, giving her four in a row after getting out of the first inning jam.

After an error by Illinois shortstop Danielle Vaji, DePaul began a rally in the top of the third inning. With two on base, centerfielder Alex Morocco hit a two-out seeing-eye single that knocked in a pair of runners to give DePaul an early 2-0 lead. DePaul shortstop Tara Voss had stolen a base on the pitch prior to the RBI single, putting her in scoring position just prior to the single. Illinois starter was able to sit down the next batter and escape the inning with minimal damage.

Illinois threatened to counter in the bottom of the third after a two-out infield single by leftfielder Hope Howell. That brought Illinois slugger Meredith Hackett to the plate, but Heteniak struck her out swinging to end the threat, advancing the one-hitter to the bottom of a fourth.

But after she issued a free pass to Illinois' Hollie Pinchback and hit designated player Jackie Guy in the fourth, she found herself in a bind as Conrad came to the plate with a chance to put the Illini on the scoreboard. Hitting just .228 on the season, Conrad ripped a triple to the right field wall that knocked in a pair and she eventually came home on the same play after a throwing error by DePaul first baseman Annie Demas, giving the Illini their first lead of the game at 3-2, despite mustering just a pair of hits. After retiring the next batter, Heteniak's day in the circle was done as she moved to first base.

Illinois hurler Monica Perry came out and tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth as Illinois began to seize the momentum. DePaul changed pitchers to open the bottom of the fifth as Bree Brown relieved Heteniak. Brown hit Danielle Zymkowitz - the first batter of the fifth inning - and then threw an illegal pitch, advancing the runner into scoring position. After striking out Howell, Brown gave up a single to Hackett which advanced Zymkowitz to third where she was eventually brought home on a sacrifice fly by Pinchback, giving Illinois a two-run edge at 4-2.  

DePaul threatened in the top of the seventh as two runners reached base with one out, but a fielder's choice by Lynsey Ciezki and a fly out by Voss ended the threat to seal the win for Illinois.

With the win, Illinois moves to 44-6 on the season as Perry earned her 24th win of the season. DePaul drops to 38-17 overall and Heteniak's record falls to 20-11. She now has a decision in 31 of 32 appearances on the season.