SANTEE, Calif. – The Illinois softball team extended its season-long six-game winning streak with a 9-3 victory over Saint Mary's College, but had the streak snapped as a furious seventh-inning comeback fell just short against San Jose State on day two of the San Diego Classic II on Saturday (March 19) at the Santee Complex in Santee, Calif.
"Today was a pretty up and down day," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We exhibited poor effort at times in both games and we showed signs of greatness at times in both games. Our focus tomorrow will be to bring the energy and focus that we had in the final innings of today's games to every pitch of of every inning versus Seattle."
Sophomore Annie Fleming paced the Illini (17-8) offense on the day, posting a .833 batting average on 5-for-6 hitting with a double and a triple to go along with two runs and a 1.333 slugging percentage. Classmate Carly Thomas added four hits, three runs and three RBI on the day.
Illinois 9, Saint Mary's College 3
The Gaels grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the second inning with a pair of runs, but the Illini responded to take a 3-2 advantage with three runs in the third on a Gunther RBI single through the left side, followed by a two-run throwing error from SMC.
UI added a run in the fourth on a Thomas RBI single to left field, but the Gaels cut the lead to one at 4-3 with a solo home run in the fifth.
Leading by just one run heading into the sixth, the Illini shut the door on SMC with a five-run frame as Thomas delivered two more runs on a single through the right side, before another two-run throwing error made it 8-3. Evans then brought in senior Allie Bauch for the game's final run in a another single through the right side.
The Illini outhit the Gaels, 10-7, with Saint Mary's committing five errors in the setback. Thomas registered three RBI, two hits and two runs in the win, while Gunther, Bauch and Fleming added two hits and two runs each.
Junior Breanna Wonderly (5-3) earned the win after giving up three runs on six hits in six innings of action. Freshman Taylor Edwards made her eighth appearance of the season with an inning of work in the seventh, allowing just one hit in the outing.
SMC's Lujane Mussadi (3-7) took the loss and gave up four runs, two earned, on six hits in four innings.
San Jose State 7, Illinois 6
The Spartans scored five unanswered runs to open the second game of the day for the Illini, starting the scoring with a two-run shot in the second inning. Three more runs in the fifth frame made it 5-0 before freshman Stephanie Abello ruined the shutout with an RBI double to right center field in the sixth.
SJSU answered with two runs in the bottom of the sixth as the Illini headed to the seventh trailing 7-1.
Down by six, the Illini looked to rally with Thomas, Gunther and Bauch each nabbing a single to load the bases for Evans, who knocked her first career grand slam and the first for the Illini on the season to bring the deficit to two at 7-5. It was Evans' fifth four-bagger of the season, which tied her with Thomas for the team lead.
The Illini weren't done as junior Ruby Rivera earned a walk and Fleming singled to first base, before senior Danielle Trezzo reached on an error to score Rivera and bring the Illini within one. After senior Kylie Johnson notched an infield single to shortstop, UI had the bases loaded with two outs, but the comeback fell just short as Thomas' hard-hit ball was straight to the second baseman to secure the final out of the game.
The Illini collected 13 hits to the Spartans' eight, with both teams committing one error and leaving 10 batters on base. Evans' four RBI was a season-high for the Illini, while Fleming totaled three hits in the setback.
Junior Jade Vecvanags (8-5) dropped the decision after allowing five runs, two earned, on five hits in four and two-third innings. Sophomore Kate Giddens entered in relief and gave up two runs on three hits and struck out two in an inning and a third of work.
Emily Rogers (2-1) earned the win for SJSU after she allowed just one run on seven hits in six innings.
The Illini wrap up the San Diego Classic II and their nonconference tournament play on Sunday (March 20) against Seattle at 11 a.m. CT.
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