Perry Earns First Illini Win as UI Splits Opening Day

Friday, February 12

Miami, FL

9 AM

University of Illinois

0-1

LIU Brooklyn

1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Illinois	1	0	1	2	0	0	0	4	8	1
LIU Brooklyn	2	2	0	0	0	2	X	6	6	1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Valparaiso	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	5	1
Illinois	0	0	2	1	3	0	X	6	8	2

Perry Earns First Illini Win as UI Splits Opening Day

February 12, 2016 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Illini Fall to LIU 6-4, before rebounding with a 6-1 win over Valparaiso

MIAMI, Fla. – The Tyra Perry era of the Illinois softball program started off with a bang as the Illini split their games on the opening day of the JuiceBlendz FIU Invitational as well as the 2016 season on Friday (Feb. 12) at the FIU Softball Stadium. UI dropped a 6-4 decision to LIU, before rebounding for a 6-1 win over Valparaiso in the nightcap.

With the split, the Illini are 1-1 on the season, while LIU is 2-0 and Valparaiso moves to 0-1.

"Today was a good start for our team," said Perry. "The first game against LIU we came out tight and it showed. On the plus side, we scored first and overcame a deficit to tie the game, but it was a game that we should have taken over. We made a few errors and did not quite play our speed."

"In the second game against Valparaiso, I thought we had a lot more energy and a lot more life. We were a little bit more relaxed, we played team ball and met quite of few of our goals. A big factor that sparked our play was Breanna Wonderly, who did a tremendous job in the circle and pitcher her game. Bre was backed up with a great game at short stop by Leigh Farina. On the offensive side, we are excited about Emily Brodner, who had several great at-bats that helped us win tonight."

LIU 6, Illinois 4

After back-to-back hits from sophomore Carly Thomas and junior Alyssa Gunther to start off the opening game of the tournament, the Illini (0-1) grabbed a 1-0 lead on an RBI fielder's choice from sophomore Annie Fleming.

LIU (0-1) answered quickly with two runs in the bottom of the first on a pair of Illini errors, before taking a 4-1 advantage on a two-out, two-RBI single in the second frame.

Trailing by three, the Illini put together a three-run rally to even the score at 4-4 as junior Nicole Evans doubled down the left field line in the third and was scored on an errant throw from the LIU short stop a batter later. Gunther continued the Illini comeback as she notched a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle in the top of the fourth.

The Blackbirds then took back the lead for good in the top of the sixth as back-to-back hits put runners on second and third. LIU's Ariana Lopez then used a sacrifice fly to bring in the go-ahead score, followed by a single from Angie Vazquez gave LIU an insurance run at 6-4.

IU out-hit the Blackbirds, 8-6, with each team committing one error in the contest. Gunther led the Illini offense with a 2-for-4 performance with two RBI and a run scored. Thomas and senior Kylie Johnson added two runs, with Johnson also notching a run and a stolen base in the setback.

Junior Jade Vecvanags (0-1) went all six innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, while striking out five and walking seven.

Illinois 6, Valparaiso 1

The Illini broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third as Evans doubled to left center, plating Gunther and senior Allie Bauch for a 2-0 lead.

A two-out RBI single to centerfield cut the Valpo deficit to 2-1 in the top of the fourth, but the Illini responded with four-straight runs for a 6-1 lead. Thomas started things off with UI's first triple of the season to right center field to bring home sophomore Leigh Farina. The Illini continued the scoring in the fifth with a two-run double to center field from redshirt-freshman Emily Brodner, followed by an RBI-single to plate freshman Stephaine Abello.

The Crusaders would make it interesting in the top of the seventh as a single and a throwing error gave Valpo runners at first and second. Junior Breanna Wonderly and the Illini defense then secured three-straight outs to record the first victory of the 2016 campaign.

Illinois again produced eight hits, but were hampered by two errors, while Valpo totaled five hits and one error. Brodner and Evans led the Illini with two RBI each, while Brodner added a pair of hits and Evans contributed one hit. Gunther added to her hit total on the day with a pair of hits and one run against the Crusaders.

Wonderly (1-0) threw a one-run, five-hit complete game gem as she struck out three for her first win of the season.

Sierra Pico (0-1) took the loss in a relief appearance, allowing two earned runs on three hits in two and two-thirds innings.

The Illini continues the JuiceBlendz FIU Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 13) as they take on No. 10 Florida State at noon and host Florida International at 6 p.m., at the FIU Softball Stadium.

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