Early Offense Enough to Complete Maryland Sweep

Sunday, April 12

College Park, Md.

12:00 PM

University of Illinois

18-21, 8-4

Maryland

23-19, 5-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Illinois	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	5	9	0
Maryland	0	0	1	0	1	0	2	4	7	0

April 12, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

A four-run first inning led the Illini past Maryland, 5-4

April 12, 2015

College Park, Md. - The Illini came out swinging, putting up four runs in the top of the first to swing past Maryland, 5-4, and complete the sweep in the pair's first-ever Big Ten face off. The Illini (18-21, 8-4 Big Ten) continue their hot streak, winning their sixth straight game and 10th over the past 11 contests while clinching their third consecutive Big Ten series victory. Meanwhile, Maryland suffers its first-ever Big Ten series sweep, falling to 23-19 (5-7 Big Ten).

"This was a hard-fought game three," said head coach Terri Sullivan. "Jade was a tremendous leader and never gave in. This is impressive after facing a tough Maryland lineup three times. The last out of the game was a battle and fun to watch. You play the game to be tested to be at your best when the pressure is on.

"We had very good defense by our outfield and infield. Annie made a key defensive play, Leigh and Allie turned a big double play, and Perk's hit ended up being the game-winning home run; that's what a senior does on Sunday. I was impressed with Maryland's fight and with our mental toughness after we scored early and then used our defense and pitching to win the rest of the way."

The top of the Illini order came through in a big way early, as four of the first five batters in the lineup collected two hits in the game. Jess Perkins was 2-for-4 with an RBI single, two runs and the game-winning home run, while Carly Thomas, Allie Bauch and Nicole Evans all doubled.

Jade Vecvanags (12-8) looked poised all day in the circle, allowing three earned runs on seven hits and three walks with three strikeouts. Brenna Nation (2-3) started for Maryland, but was pulled after allowing hits to the first four batters of the game, being held responsible for four runs and no outs. Hannah Dewey was solid over the next three and two-thirds, allowing one run on four hits, while Kaitlyn Schmeiser gave up just one hit over the final three-and-a-third with four strikeouts.

Dewey and Lindsey Schmeiser each drove in a pair of runs, going 1-for-2 at the top of the Maryland lineup, and Juli Strange and Kylie Datil both went 2-for-3 with a run scored.

Illinois exploded out of the gate, putting up four runs in the top of the first as the first five batters collected hits. Bauch started things off with a double, then Alyssa Gunther singled to deep short. Perkins drove in the first run on an RBI single to left, and Evans hit an RBI double to the left field warning track, forcing Coach Deifel to make a pitching change. Dewey allowed another RBI single to Thomas, then Evans came home on a wild pitch, before the sophomore hurler retired the bottom of the order.

The Illini tacked on another run in the top of the third, as Perkins sent a line drive over the wall in right center for her 20th career home run.

Lindsey Schmeiser mimicked Perkins in the bottom of the third, drilling a solo homer over the scoreboard in right center to put Maryland on the board.

Maryland cut the lead to three in the bottom of the fifth, as the Juli Strange and Kylie Datil led off with a pair of singles, and Lindsey Schmeiser picked up a sacrifice fly, making it 5-2.

Down to their final three outs, the Terrapins put up a fight in the bottom of the seventh, as Datil led off with a single to left. Vecvanags struck out pinch hitter Sarah Lang for the first out, but an 0-2 pitch got away from her, hitting Lindsey Schmeiser to bring the tying run to the plate. A passed ball put the pair in scoring position, and Dewey came through with a two-run double to the gap in left center, making it 5-4 and bring the winning run to the plate. Annie Fleming made a huge game-saving play on the next batter, as Corey Schwartz grounded to her at third, and the rookie threw behind pinch runner Emma Mires to catch her heading back to second for a key second out. Erin Pronobis kept the Terps alive with a bloop single to shallow right, then took second on defensive indifference to put the tying and winning runs in scoring position. Catcher Shannon Bustillos dug in at the plate and would not surrender, fouling off five pitches, but a perfect pitch number nine by Vecvanags struck her out to keep Maryland from taking the lead and complete the series sweep, 5-4.

Next Up: The Illini road trip continues on Wednesday, April 15, with a single nonconference game at DePaul. Opening pitch in Chicago is set for 4 p.m.