AUSTIN, Texas – The Illinois softball team started off strong at the Texas Invitational on Friday (Feb. 26) as the Illini defeated Abilene Christian, 7-2, and Weber State, 3-0, on the opening day of the tournament at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
UI improved to 7-4 on the season, while ABU fell to 2-10 and WSU dropped to 7-6.
Illinois 7, Abilene Christian 2
The Illini jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening frame as sophomore Carly Thomas led things off with a double to right centerfield, before being plated by a sacrifice fly from senior Allie Bauch.
Junior Nicole Evans made it 3-0 with a two-run home run to left field in the top of the fourth. It was Evan's second homer of the season and the 25th of her career, moving the Glen Ellyn, Ill., native into eighth place all-time for career home runs.
A two-run home run from ABU's Baylee Travers in the bottom of the fourth cut into the lead, but the Illini responded with three runs in the fifth as junior Alyssa Gunther notched a two-RBI single up the middle and was then brought home on an Evans double down the left field line to push the score to 6-2.
Thomas then added a solo dinger to right center field in the sixth to cement the 7-2 win for the Illini.
For the sixth time this season, the Illini outhit their foe with nine hits and an error to ABU's six hits and two errors. Evans and Thomas paced the UI offensively, with Thomas going 3-for-3 with two doubles and a home run to go along with three runs and an RBI. Evans notched a 2-of-4 performance with a home run and three RBI. Sophomore Annie Fleming added a pair of hits and a stolen base.
Junior Breanna Wonderly (3-2) earned the win after allowing just two runs on six hits, striking out one and not giving up a walk in a complete game outing.
Allison Turner (1-5) took the loss for the Wildcats, giving up five runs on five hits in four innings of action.
Illinois 3, Weber State 0
UI struck first as back-to-back bunt singles from sophomore Leigh Farina and senior Kylie Johnson and a Thomas walk loaded the bases for the Illini in the third. Gunther then drove in the game's first run on an RBI sacrifice fly to left field, before Bauch added an RBI groundout for the 2-0 advantage.
Johnson pushed the score to 3-0 in the sixth on an RBI single up the middle after back-to-back one-baggers from seniors Nicole Tobon and Danielle Trezzo.
From there, junior pitcher Jade Vecvanags and the Illini defense took control for the 3-0 victory. Vecvanags (4-2) notched her first shutout of the season and held the Wildcats to just four hits, while striking out three her fifth complete game this year.
The Illini registered seven hits and an error in the win, with Johnson going 3-for-3 with an RBI, a run and a stolen base.
Illinois continues play at the Texas Invitational on Saturday (Feb. 27) and will take on host and No. 21/24 Texas at 12:30 p.m., before facing Weber State again at 7:30 p.m. Fans can watch the Illini against the Longhorns on Longhorn Network HERE.
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