Box Score (PDF)
Lincoln, Neb. - Early control issues proved too much of a set back, as Nebraska claimed the regular-season finale, 9-1, in five innings. The Husker win allowed Nebraska to take the first Big Ten series from Illinois since opening weekend, as the Illini finished the regular season in fifth place with their best conference record since 2010 (26-26, 14-9 Big Ten). Nebraska sealed up the #3-seed, improving to 32-20 (17-6 Big Ten).
"We were in a position to make a run after the rain delay, but didn't push a few more runs across soon enough," said head coach Terri Sullivan. "We defended well and Bre came in and gave us some good work. Our team really came together during what is a challenging conference season. We all look forward to the tournament."
Alyssa Gunther, Brittany Sanchez and Nicole Evans put together the Illini's three hits in the game, all singles, and Evans drove in the Illini's lone run in the top of the third.
Shelese Arnold (4-7) got the start in the circle but struggled with her command, allowing just three hits but six costly walks which led to seven runs over just an inning and a third. Breanna Wonderly looked solid over the final three-and-a-third, giving up just one earned run on four hits and a walk but allowed the game-ender in the bottom of the fifth.
Emily Lockman (16-12) sealed up a strong outing in five innings, overcoming six walks to hold Illinois to just three hits and an unearned run with three strikeouts.
The Huskers took advantage of Arnold's lack of control in the bottom of the first, collecting just one hit but plating three runs thanks to four walks and an illegal pitch.
Four hits and two walks allowed Nebraska to take an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the second. After a ground out to start the inning, five straight Huskers reached base, including a bases-clearing double for Steph Pasquale which forced Arnold to be pulled from the circle. Wonderly entered with a runner on third and allowed the inherited runner to score along with an unearned run off of two RBI singles before closing the inning just as it began with a ground out to short.
Lightning in the area delayed the game following the big second inning, keeping players off the field for 30 minutes.
A two-out rally got the Illini on the board in the top of the third, as Gunther beat out an infield single, and after Jess Perkins got on by error, Evans drove Gunther across the plate with an RBI single up the middle.
Illinois drew three walks in the top of the fifth, but the Illini were unable to come through with a run-scoring hit, as they headed to the bottom of the fifth still trailing, 8-1.
A pair of two-out hits in the bottom of the fifth closed out the regular season, as Laura Barrow doubled with a hard liner off Gunther's glove at first, and Kiki Stokes gave the Huskers the eight-run advantage with an RBI single up the middle.
The Illini clinch the #5-seed for the Big Ten Tournament and will take on the #12-seed on Thursday, May 7, in the opening round in Columbus, Ohio.
