Howell, Gay help avoid elimination
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COLUMBIA, Mo. – With the Illinois softball team facing elimination from the NCAA regional tournament after dropping its first game Saturday to host Missouri, Hope Howell made sure the Illini lived to fight another day.
The left fielder smoked a triple in the first inning and belted a three-run homer in the fourth as the 18th-ranked Illini eliminated DePaul 9-1 at University Field.
"It was nice to see our offense string together some hits and have an inning like we've had throughout the year where we have some excitement and explode with runs," Illinois coach Terri Sullivan said. "We are going to be ready to do that (today). We don't want to focus too much on the opponent but more on our own business. I like where we're at."
After defeating DePaul on Friday, the Illini dropped their first game 3-1 Saturday to host Missouri (48-11). The two teams will meet again today and the Illini must defeat the Tigers twice to win the regional. No. 8 Missouri, which is 2-0, would only have to beat Illinois once.
Against the Tigers, Illinois (45-7) fell behind 1-0 before Hope Howell crossed the plate in the third inning off a single by Hollie Pinchback. Howell and Audrey Gallien each had two hits for the Illini in defeat.
Monica Perry suffered the loss, allowing three hits and striking out four in four innings.
Perry bounced back against the Blue Demons to improve her record to 25-6. She allowed three hits and an unearned run in four innings. Pepper Gay allowed one hit and struck out four over the final three innings.
"Monica came in strong and did what she needed to do to keep us in the ballgame, and we've seen her quite a few times," Sullivan said. "Pepper is never very nervous when she's got runners on base and that is a good quality to have. Those two worked well together and got it done."
Danielle Zymkowitz (three hits) and Danielle Vaji (two hits) each drove in a pair of runs for Illinois in the win against DePaul. Jackie Guy and Kelly Wedel (two runs) also had two hits for Illinois.
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