Freshman Lutes steps up

To vote in our daily poll, click here.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Freshman right fielder Katie Lutes belted a key two-out double and drove in three runs in her first career start, leading Illinois to a 10-6 softball victory against Purdue on Wednesday and a split of a Big Ten doubleheader at West Lafayette, Ind.

The Boilermakers won the opener 4-1 behind a two-hitter by Suzie Rzegocki, who did not allow an earned run.

"Bouncing back was just what we needed to do, and our team knew that we had to come out and play more aggressively in the second game," Illini coach Terri Sullivan said. "Everyone was frustrated from what they didn't do in the first game, but they responded with stronger defense and more aggression at the plate."

Seven batters had at least one hit and six drove in at least one run for Illinois (27-18, 10-8 Big Ten) in the nightcap. Senior designated player Katrina Ross went 2 for 4 and drove in her 10th run in the last six games. Freshman first baseman Meredith Hackett was 3 for 4 with two RBI and three runs. Freshman third baseman Kelley Wedel also had three runs and drove in a run.

In baseball:

Indiana State 11, UI 10. Illinois scored four runs in the ninth to take a 10-7 lead but couldn't withstand a walk-filled Indiana State rally in the bottom of the inning and suffered a nonconference loss at Terre Haute, Ind.

Brandon Wikoff was 3 for 5 with two doubles and three runs for the Illini (27-13).

Losing pitcher Aaron Martin (3-2) and Wes Braun walked five batters, including one intentionally, during the Sycamores' four-run rally in the ninth.

In track and field:

Big Ten honors Riley. Illinois freshman Andrew Riley is the Big Ten Track Athlete of the Week, the conference announced Wednesday. The Kingston, Jamaica, native set a school record in the 110-meter hurdles at the Drake Relays on Saturday. His second-place time of 13.61 seconds broke the 9-year-old mark of 13.72 by Sherman Armstrong.

In men's tennis:

Three earn national invite.Three Illini received at-large bids Wednesday to the NCAA Championships singles and doubles tournaments. Freshman Dennis Nevolo and sophomore Roy Kalmanovich were named to the 64-player singles field, while Nevolo and freshman Ruan Roelofse were selected to the 32-team doubles field.

Comments

Add a Comment