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Third baseman Shanna Diller broke the school's career runs scored record with 154th against Michigan State.
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April 15, 2008
Game Notes for Illinois State, Minnesota, Wisconsin
Illinois vs. Illinois State
Wednesday, April 16 • 6 p.m.
Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium
TV: Live on the Big Ten Network
Gametracker available at FightingIllini.com
Illinois vs. Minnesota
Friday, April 18 • 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 19 • Noon
Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium
Gametracker available at FightingIllini.com
Illinois vs. Wisconsin (DH)
Sunday, April 20 • Noon
Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium
Gametracker available at FightingIllini.com
Top of The Order
Illinois is...
21-4 when leading after 4 innings
22-2 when having more hits than opponent
18-4 when scoring first
19-9 when hitting at least one home run
Leading Off
Settling In: Illinois concludes its nine-game home stretch this week, hosting in-state foe Illinois State on Wednesday before finishing the week against Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Illini are 6-2 this season against teams from the Land of Lincoln, including wins over Illinois-Chicago, Eastern and Bradley. The Orange and Blue will face the Gophers and Badgers for the first time since 2006, as the 2007 series were canceled.
Back, Back, Back, GONE: The Orange and Blue continued their weekend trend of hitting at least two home runs, belting a total of six home runs over the weekend against No. 14 Northwestern and Michigan State. It marks the ninth weekend in a row Illinois has had a multi-home run weekend, dating back to the beginning of the season. In six of those weekends, the Orange and Blue went deep at least four times. The long balls also extended the Illini's streak of homering at least once to six games.
Big Ten's Big Offense: The Illini have continued their offensive explosiveness into the Big Ten season. The Orange and Blue lead the conference in slugging percentage (.491), hits (347), runs scored (241), RBIs (216), doubles (72) and home runs (51). In fact, the Illini continue to put a gap between themselves and the rest of the Big Ten in a few of those categories, with 25 more doubles, 19 more RBIs and 14 home runs than the next closest team. Illinois also ranks second with a .289 batting average.
Thriller Night: Third baseman Shanna Diller has continued her thrilling career throughout her senior season, becoming one of the most prolific Illini in school history. On Sunday against Michigan State, Diller became the school's all-time leader with 154 runs scored. Since the beginning of the season Diller also has captured the school's career RBI record with 149 and ranks second in school history with 34 home runs.
Team Effort: In addition to leading in team categories, the Illini also top the conference in several individual categories. Shortstop Angelena Mexicano ranks first in home runs (15), runs scored (44), and total bases (105), while standing third with 44 RBIs and tied with teammate Shanna Diller for sixth with 50 hits. Catcher Lana Armstrong leads the Big Ten with 16 doubles and is fourth with 41 RBIs, while Diller also is second with 14 doubles and tied for fifth with 33 runs scored. Two freshmen have also made a splash in the Big Ten, as designated player Hollie Pinchback ranks fourth with 10 doubles and is tied for sixth with 31 RBIs, while second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz is tied for fourth with 51 hits and tied for fifth with 33 runs.
Bryers' Breakout: Centerfielder Sarah Bryers has become one of the keys to the Illini's offense this season. Over the past week, she led the Illini with a .500 average including a home run, her first career triple, six RBIs and five runs scored. With seven home runs on the season, Bryers has surpassed her career total of five from her first three seasons in the Orange and Blue.
The Scouting Report
Illinois State: With a six-game winning streak heading into this week's matchup, the Redbirds currently rank second in the Missouri Valley Conference. Illinois State is led offensively by Kara Nelson with a .394 average and 14 RBIs. Three other Redbirds have also driven in 14 runs, including pitcher Amber Smith. Smith has carried the bulk of the load for ISU in the circle, going 7-6 with a 2.19 ERA. However, three other pitchers have also split time for the Redbirds, including Rachel Smith with a team-low ERA of 1.97 and 4-4 record.
Minnesota: The Gophers looked golden to start the 2008 season, going 16-5, including a ten-game winning streak. Since then though, Minnesota has seen limited action due to weather constraints. With their series against both Penn State and Purdue canceled, the Gophers are currently 4-4 in the Big Ten. Minnesota is led by Colleen Conway who has a .349 average and 38 hits, while Sila Fernandez and Shannon Stemper have also been offensive forces, combining for 37 RBIs. Overall six different Gophers have contributed double-digit RBIs. In the circle, ace Briana Hasset has been impressive with a 1.99 ERA, 180 strikeouts and a 14-5 record.
Wisconsin: The Badgers have had a rough season, dropping 11 of their last 13 for a 12-32 record. Wisconsin is coming off a weekend split against Penn State and will face Notre Dame and Iowa before heading to the Land of Lincoln. Joey Daniels leads the Badgers with a .288 average, while Ricci Robben has driven in a team-leading 19 runs. In the circle, Leah Vanevenhoven and Letty Olivarez have split time, with a 3.70 ERA and 4.32 ERA respectively.
