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Illini Prep for Border Battle in NCAA Opener
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Head coach Terri Sullivan has her Illini squad ready for their third appearance in the NCAA Championship.
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May 12, 2009
2009 NCAA DIVISION I SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP // COLUMBIA REGIONAL
Host: University of Missouri
Location: Columbia, Mo.
Facility: University Field
Live Video and Gametracker: Click here
REGIONAL SCHEDULE (all times Central)
Friday, May 15
Game 1: #15 DePaul vs. Bradley • 2:30 p.m.
Game 2: Illinois vs. Missouri • 5 p.m.
Saturday, May 16
Game 3: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 • Noon
Game 4: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 • 2:30 p.m.
Game 5: Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3 • 5 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
Game 6: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5 • 1 p.m.
*Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 • 3 p.m.
* Game 7 will be necessary only if the winner of Game 6 was also the winner of Game 5.
Top of The Order
Illinois is...
19-4 when scoring first
20-1 when leading after four innings
11-1 in one-run games
6-0 in extra-inning games
Leading Off
Postseason Return: Illinois makes its return to the NCAA Division I Softball Championship for the first time since 2004. It marks the third time in program history Illinois has made a trip to the postseason. Last time around, the Illini made it to the Sweet 16.
RPI: The Illini's RPI has ranked among the top 30 in the nation throughout the 2009 season. Currently, Illinois is ranked 29th. It's the fifth-highest ranking among Big Ten schools, with Michigan (8th), Northwestern (11th), Ohio State (12th) and Iowa (24th) ahead of the Orange and Blue.
Tearin Up Z Base-Paths: Second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz has been a constant threat on the base-paths for Illinois this year. Zymkowitz has reached base at least once in 41 of 44 contests. She has reached base at least once in 16 of the last 17, including the last six straight games to finish the regular season. Additionally, Zymkowitz's has been untouchable on the base-paths, going a perfect 20-for-20.
Let's Play One More: Illinois just couldn't resist extending the regular season by another inning, as the Illini captured a 2-1 win in eight over Minnesota in their regular season finale. Illinois has played in six extra-inning games this season after only playing one during the 2008 season, winning each of the extended contests. Ironically, three of the games have gone eight innings and come against ranked opponents, including No. 18/21 Houston, No. 19/24 Texas A&M and No. 18/23 Southern Illinois, with the Illini coming out victorious in each contest. In the fourth, an 11-inning marathon against Loyola Chicago, the Illini also captured the win. It tied the second-longest game in history. Illinois also won an eight-inning contest against Illinois State.
Lutes Lets Loose: Freshman Katie Lutes made her first career start in the second game against Purdue, filling in as the rightfielder, and wasted no time warming up at the plate. Lutes ripped a two-RBI double in the third en route to the Illini's six-run inning, then collected her third RBI in the sixth to help Illinois to a 10-6 win.
National Update: Illinois' offense has been one of the best in the nation this year. Second baseman Danielle Zymkowitz ranks ninth nationally with 1.09 runs per game. In addition, the team ranks in the top 50 in doubles per game (11th), scoring (29th), slugging percentage (42nd) and home runs per game (49th).
Topping the Big Ten: Illinois' offense is one of the tops among the Big Ten. The Illini have the third-best batting average at .289 and their .387 on-base percentage ranks first in all games, while they lead the conference with a .305 average in league-only games. Zymkowitz has been one of the most consistent hitters in the conference, tied atop the league with 62 hits and 48 runs. Her .408 average is second and 20 stolen bases are fourth. Additionally, Pinchback is tied for third with 13 doubles. In conference games, Zymkowitz's 27 hits and 20 runs lead the way, while Katrina Ross' 22 RBIs rank third.
Opponents at a Glance
Missouri: The Tigers are coming off the Big 12 tournament where they edged No. 9 Oklahoma to take home the title. Missouri is led by Rhea Taylor with a .413 average, while three Tigers have collected more than 40 RBIs. Lindsey Ubrun leads the team with 49, while Marla Schweisberger isn't far behind with 45 and Micaela Minner has contributed 42. In the circle, Missouri has a trio of pitchers that have dominated this season. Chelsea Thomas and Stacy Delaney have carried the bulk of the load, with 1.14 and 1.24 ERAs, respectively. Thomas is 13-4 and Delaney is 14-3, while Kristin Nottelman holds an 11-2 record and 1.24 ERA.
DePaul: The Blue Demons advanced to the Big East tournament championship before falling to Notre Dame. Amber Patton has been a force for the Demons throughout the season, batting .509 with 27 RBIs. Becca Heteniak and Jackie Tarulli-Fisher each batting .336 with 49 and 47 RBIs, respectively. Heteniak has also led the way in the circle, going 24-7 with a 1.50 ERA.
Bradley: The Braves downed Creighton in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament championship game to advance to their first NCAA tournament. Janay Mitchell leads Bradley with a .307 average, while Alycia Bachkora has been the leading RBI-getter with 34. In the circle, Ashley Birdsong has collected a 19-10 record with a 1.73 ERA, while Amanda Clack is 3-7 with a 3.28 ERA and Katie Dennis is 3-9 with a 3.70 ERA.
