Urbana, Ill. - The Fighting Illini made quick work of Purdue, cruising to a 9-1 victory in five innings on Friday night to claim the Big Ten series opener. The Orange and Blue offense was unaffected by Purdue's talented hurlers, taking the second-best pitching staff in the Big Ten for a season-high nine runs. The win moves the Illini to .500 for the first time this season at 23-23 and clinches a winning record in the Big Ten with their 12th victory (12-6). With the loss, the Boilermakers sink to 28-20 (6-10 Big Ten).
"Everyone on the team contributed in both big and small ways today," said head coach Terri Sullivan. We were very dialed in from top to bottom. Allie's shot really ignited the offense, Jade had great command of the zone, and then the defense was solid."
Ruby Rivera led the Illini offense by going a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Allie Bauch and Nicole Evans were each 2-for-3 with a run and an extra-base hit, as Bauch hit a two-run homer in the second and Evans doubled in the third.
Jade Vecvanags (16-10) showed firm command in the circle, allowing just one run on five hits and two walks to capture her conference-leading 11th Big Ten victory, tying the all-time Illini record.
The Illini took Purdue ace Lilly Fecho (17-13) for a season-worst seven runs, six earned, on seven hits and two walks over the first two-and-a-third innings. The sophomore entered the night ranked second in the Big Ten in strikeouts, third in ERA and fourth in opposing batting average, but was unable to combat the Illini's fiery offense. Lexy Moore took over in the third, and allowed the final two runs on three hits over an inning and two-thirds.
Kaylah Hampton was the best Boilermaker at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a stolen base, and Paris Andrew recorded the only Purdue RBI with a third-inning double.
The Illini cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the second, as Rivera led off with a single. Kylie Johnson laid down a swinging nubber to the left side. Fecho rushed the throw, as Johnson's infield single turned into a two-base error, allowing Rivera to score. Bauch then crushed a two-run shot off the flag pole in straightaway center to make it 3-0 Illini.
Purdue put one across with two outs in the top of the third, as Ashley Burkhardt walked and Paris Andrew drove her in with an RBI double to left center.
The Illini attacked Purdue for four runs in the bottom of the third to take a 7-1 lead and chase Fecho from the circle. Jess Perkins got the Illini started with a leadoff walk, then Evans doubled to the gap in right center. Rivera drove in two on a single up the middle, and Annie Fleming followed with an RBI single to center. After a pitching change, Brittany Sanchez drove in the seventh Illini run with an RBI ground out.
After a quiet inning-and-a-half, the Illini ended the game early with two runs in the fifth to go ahead, 9-1, and capture the run-rule victory. Evans and Carly Thomas led off with back-to-back singles, and a third consecutive single, Rivera's third hit and RBI of the game, sent Evans across the place. Fleming then finished off the Boilers with an RBI grounder to second base, as Thomas came in to score and finish off the eight-run victory.
Next Up: The Purdue series is scheduled to continue on Saturday at 1 p.m. With inclement weather in the forecast, fans are advised to check for schedule changes before heading to the game. Visit FightingIllini.com or follow @IlliniSoftball on Twitter for the most up-to-date information on the Fighting Illini.
