It was a windy but sunny day at Eichelberger Field on Sunday. Folks from Monticello were out in droves for Monticello Day to honor their favorite daughter as it were, Molly Lawhead. And best of all, #9 Michigan was in town for a doubleheader.
Molly Lawhead up to bat. It was her day.
I showed up with the kids at the 5th inning of the first game. Pitcher Ashley Wright was on the mound for the Illini by the time we got there.
Pitcher Ashley Wright
Wright can really bring it and she did a excellent job in relief Sunday and didn’t allow any further runs. Unfortunately, our offense (the best in the Big Ten) couldn’t get things going in Game 1 and were shut out 5-0.
Game 2 didn’t look any better when Michigan took a 3 run lead. However, in the top of the seventh, Shana Diller hit a 2-run shot to tie the game to send it into extras. Sarah Bryers homered the next inning to win the game.
Shana Diller’s homerun in the seventh was her 14th and broke the school season record for homeruns held by Jenna Hall. Angelena Mexicano is right behind her with 13.
Jenna Hall
I noticed former Illini Jenna Hall in the stands videotaping some of the players during the game. If you don’t know who Jenna Hall is, you really should. I always point her out to my daughter and tell her that the first time I went to a UI softball game, Jenna hit a ball over the right field fence.
She’s only been gone for two years but she’s already a UI softball legend.
More photos from the softball double header on Sunday (just click on thumbnails)