URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team powered its way to a doubleheader sweep of UIC in its 2017 home opener on Tuesday (March) at Eichelberger Field, earning a 7-3 win in game one, before taking game two, 7-5.
The Illini (18-8), who have won four-straight and six of their last seven games, had a pair of grand slams on the day, with senior Nicole Evans launching one in the first game, followed by Emily Brodner in the second. It is just the second time in program history that the Illini have knocked two grand slams in one day, with the first coming on February 9, 2007, when Kisten Martin and Shanna Diller each registered grand slams in an 11-5 win at FIU.
"We were happy to secure two hard fought victories in our home opener versus UIC," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Nicole Evans grand slam in the first game and Emily Brodner's in game two came at pivotal moments. Taylor Edwards was effective on the mound for us in both games."
Game One: Illinois 7, UIC 3
UIC (13-15) grabbed an early 1-0 lead with an RBI double down the left field line in the second inning, the Illini responded with two runs on a two-RBI single down the right field line from sophomore Stephanie Abello in the third.
Two unearned runs in the top of the sixth gave the Flames a 3-2 lead, but the Illini offense roared to life in bottom half of the inning as junior Annie Fleming was walked with the bases-loaded to knot things at 3-3. Evans then blasted her team-leading ninth home run of the season over the center field fence to put the Illini up for good at 7-3.
Sophomore Taylor Edwards (10-1) went the distance, allowing just one earned run on seven hits and two walks, while striking out three.
The Illini totaled eight hits, but four errors, while the Flames posted seven hits and an error. Fleming went 2-for-3 with two runs and an RBI for the Orange and Blue, with sophomore Kiana Sherlund adding two hits and a run.
Game Two: Illinois 7, UIC 5
Following a back-and-forth game one, all the action in the day's second game came in the third inning. The Flames opened the frame with three-straight hits, before a bases-loaded walk scored the first run. An two-RBI single to center field, followed by a two-run triple to left field then put UIC up 5-0.
Wasting no time at all, the Illini answered in the back as Sherlund got things going with a leadoff single to third base and then came home when senior Alyssa Gunther reached on a fielder's choice combined with three-base error from UIC short stop Kayla Wedl. A hit-by-pitch and a walk then loaded the bases for Abello, who delivered an RBI single to right center field to make it 5-2. Brodner then cleared the bags with her first career grand slam. It was her third home run of the season and second in three days.
The Illini notched six hits in the win, with the UIC recording nine. Both teams committed one error. Sherlund had two hits and a run for the Illlini.
The Illini continue their three-game home stand with a 6 p.m. CT contest against Bradley on Wednesday (March 22) at Eichelberger Field.
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