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TechnographSoftball to battle Iowa
As regular season ends, Illini seek Big Ten spot
By Kate Munson
Posted: 5/2/08 Section: Sports
As regular-season play wraps up for Illini softball at home this weekend against Iowa, the team will be battling to stay in contention for the Big Ten Tournament. Only the top eight teams in the conference qualify for tournament play, with Illinois currently sitting in sixth.
Making the weekend even more notable will be the fifth annual World's Largest Softball Tailgate on Saturday.
"There's nothing like it in college softball," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "It's always been an electric environment. Our team loves to pull up and see the orange and blue flags flying everywhere. It's going to be a great day."
Last season, 1,445 fans attended the tailgate. This year's event will feature free T-shirts, live music, games and contests, as well as free admission to the game.
"We're real excited about the day and the weekend," Sullivan said.
Entering the weekend, the Illini (30-29, 8-10 Big Ten) are coming off an impressive performance in the second contest of Wednesday's doubleheader against Southern Illinois (27-23, 12-8 Missouri Valley Conference) after losing the first game.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Ashley Wright went seven innings, allowing just four hits while not surrendering a run. But the big story of the night was senior shortstop Angelena Mexicano, who belted homer No. 24 of the season to lead off the fifth inning of the nightcap.
With the blast, Mexicano became the Big Ten leader for home runs in a single season.
"I saw the ball very well and right when I hit it I just felt amazing. I felt a great, warm, exciting feeling," Mexicano said. "It's overwhelming. It's just a great honor to have set this bar, this record."
But the Hawkeyes (36-17, 12-6) will present a challenge for the Illini, especially in the circle, where they boast a team ERA of just 1.10, good for second best in the Big Ten behind Michigan.
Leading Iowa offensively is junior third baseman Colleen McGlaughlin, who is batting .325 through 53 games with 29 RBIs on seven long balls and eight doubles.
Making the weekend even more notable will be the fifth annual World's Largest Softball Tailgate on Saturday.
"There's nothing like it in college softball," head coach Terri Sullivan said. "It's always been an electric environment. Our team loves to pull up and see the orange and blue flags flying everywhere. It's going to be a great day."
Last season, 1,445 fans attended the tailgate. This year's event will feature free T-shirts, live music, games and contests, as well as free admission to the game.
"We're real excited about the day and the weekend," Sullivan said.
Entering the weekend, the Illini (30-29, 8-10 Big Ten) are coming off an impressive performance in the second contest of Wednesday's doubleheader against Southern Illinois (27-23, 12-8 Missouri Valley Conference) after losing the first game.
In the circle, sophomore pitcher Ashley Wright went seven innings, allowing just four hits while not surrendering a run. But the big story of the night was senior shortstop Angelena Mexicano, who belted homer No. 24 of the season to lead off the fifth inning of the nightcap.
With the blast, Mexicano became the Big Ten leader for home runs in a single season.
"I saw the ball very well and right when I hit it I just felt amazing. I felt a great, warm, exciting feeling," Mexicano said. "It's overwhelming. It's just a great honor to have set this bar, this record."
But the Hawkeyes (36-17, 12-6) will present a challenge for the Illini, especially in the circle, where they boast a team ERA of just 1.10, good for second best in the Big Ten behind Michigan.
Leading Iowa offensively is junior third baseman Colleen McGlaughlin, who is batting .325 through 53 games with 29 RBIs on seven long balls and eight doubles.
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