Posted: 5/1/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jeremy Berg Illinois' Angelena Mexicano hits a home run during the game against Southern Illinois on Wednesday. Mexcano broke the Big Ten single season home run record with 24 home runs.

While the results of Wednesday's doubleheader against Southern Illinois (27-23, 12-8 Missouri Valley Conference) at Eichelberger Field at Martin Stadium were mixed, one Illini made the games memorable. Illinois senior shortstop Angelena Mexicano tied the Big Ten single season home run record in game one and broke it in game two.

The first game started out looking like a pitcher's duel with neither team crossing the plate until the fifth inning. Unfortunately, the scoring didn't go in favor of the Illini (30-29, 8-10 Big Ten) as they fell to the Salukis 6-3.

Getting the start for the Fighting Illini in game one was sophomore pitcher Christine Christopoulos. The lefty went four innings without allowing a run before Southern Illinois struck in the fifth.

"Christine threw well today," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "Especially through the first four innings."

Christopoulos allowed her first walk to lead off the fifth, and the Salukis followed it up with a base hit. Following a two-run double by junior designated player Katie Schmidt that put Southern Illinois up 2-0, Christopoulos was pulled in favor of senior pitcher Claire DeVreese.

Two more Southern Illinois runners would score before DeVreese recorded the final out of the inning.

Illinois managed just one run in their half of the inning, but it was a milestone setting score. Mexicano belted homer number 23 of the season, tying the Big Ten record. The tie was broken quickly as Mexicano would hit number 24 to break the record in the night cap.

"That wasn't my goal to beat (the record) coming into the game, but it's a great feeling," Mexicano said. "I'm speechless."

The Big Ten single season home run record didn't stand for long.

Northwestern's Garland Cooper recorded the mark just last season.

Laura Espinoza of Arizona holds the NCAA single season record with 37 long balls set in 1995.

Continued...

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