AUSTIN, Texas – Behind a season-high six strikeouts from junior pitcher Jade Vecvanags and a team effort at the plate, the Fighting Illini softball team finished off the Texas Invitational with a 5-4 come-from-behind win over Tulsa on Sunday (Feb. 28) at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
"Yesterday, we challenged the team to finish strong today and they did just that," said head coach Tyra Perry. "I am proud of Jade for persevering and putting the team on her back today and sealing the win with a strikeout. It was a great way to finish the weekend with a win over a quality opponent like Tulsa, who beat Texas twice this weekend."
With the win, the Illini improve to 8-6 on the season, while the Golden Hurricanes fall to 11-4.
Tulsa jumped out first with an RBI single through the left side after a leadoff single started off the game in the opening frame.
The Illini responded quickly, putting up five unanswered runs in the first three innings to build a 5-1 lead in the third. Thomas starting things off for UI in the first with a leadoff single and was brought home on a sacrifice fly from junior Nicole Evans. The Illini then loaded the bases and freshman Stephanie Abello worked a walk to take a 2-1 lead.
Junior Alyssa Gunther added to the Illini lead in the second with her first triple of the season to score senior Kylie Johnson, who led off the inning with an infield single to second base. Gunther was scored on the next play as senior Allie Bauch drove her in on a sacrifice fly to centerfield.
Johnson made it 5-1 in the third with an RBI infield single to shortstop to bring in sophomore pinch runner Jill Nicklas after Abello doubled to left field earler in the frame.
A three-run inning for Tulsa in the fourth on two hits and an error cut the lead to one at 5-4, but Vevcanags allowed just two hits over the final three innings to shut down the Golden Hurricanes and earn the win.
Vecvanags (5-3) gave up four runs – three earned – on seven hits, walking three and striking out six in a complete game performance.
Both teams totaled seven hits in the contest, with the Illini committing two errors and Tulsa committing three. Johnson went 2-for-3 with a run and RBI for the Illini, while Gunther added two runs, one run and one RBI.
Emily Watson (4-3) took the loss after allowing four runs – two earned – on four hits in an inning and two-thirds of action. Ellie Reaves came in relief and gave up one earned run on three hits in four and one-third innings.
The Illini next travel to Tampa, Fla., for the Under Armour Invitational at Clearwater, hosted by University of South Florida on March 4-6 and will face Sam Houston State, Central Michigan, Penn, USF and East Carolina in the three-day tournament.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow the team on Twitter @IlliniSB or like Fighting Illini Softball on Facebook.
