NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – The Fighting Illini softball team wrapped up their seven-game California spring break trip with a split with Cal State Northridge (CSUN), dropping a 4-3 decision in game one, before redshirt-freshman Emily Brodner connected on a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning and junior pitcher Breanna Wonderly struck out a career-high 10 batters to rebound for a 4-3 10-inning victory in game two.
It was the fifth 10-inning game in program history and ties the Illinois record for the third-longest game in program history. The longest game in program history came in a 15-frame affair against Minnesota on April 21, 2001, with the Illini prevailing 2-1. There have also been two 11-inning contests in the history of Illini softball.
The Illini move to 19-9 on the season and finish their California trip with a 5-2 record.
"The first game was not a good representation of Illinois softball," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We kept doing the same things at the plate and on defense and expected a different result. Softball is a game of inches and we gave too many inches away."
"The second game was sparked by a gutsy performance by Breanna Wonderly. She put the team on her back and fought hard on every pitch. Emily Brodner had an aggressive at bat in the 10th to come through with a key hit. It is great to end this road trip with a win against a well-coached team and we are looking to take this momentum into the series against Nebraska."
Game One: CSUN 4, Illinois 3
The host Matadors struck first with a four-run second inning on a bases-loaded walk, followed by a wild pitch and a two-RBI single.
The Illini broke up both the shutout and the no-hitter in the fifth inning as sophomore Annie Fleming led off with her team co-leading third triple of the season. Senior Danielle Trezzo then notched a bunt single, before an RBI groundout from classmate Kylie Johnson plated Fleming from third.
A two-run sixth inning closed the deficit to one run at 4-3 as senior Allie Bauch stole home plate on the double-steal attempt with Fleming, followed by a two-out RBI-single from senior Remeny Perez to bring home Fleming.
Down one heading into the seventh, junior Alyss Gunther notched a two-out single, but that would be it for the Illini in the seventh.
Both teams collected five hits in the game, with the Illini committing one error and the Matadors committing two miscues. Fleming notched one hit and two runs, while Perez added a hit and an RBI.
Junior Jade Vecvanags (8-6) allowed four runs on five hits and equaled a season-high six strikeouts in six innings of work.
Taylor Troost (6-6) earned the win for the Matadors after giving up three runs on five hits in a complete game effort.
Game Two: Illinois 4, CSUN 3
Sophomore Carly Thomas led off game two of the doubleheader with a single through the left side and was then brought home by a Perez RBI-double to center field for the early 1-0 lead.
The score remained at 1-0 until the bottom of the sixth inning when CSUN tied it up on a RBI single up the middle.
Neither team would score in the seventh as the game went to the international tiebreaker in extra innings with both teams plating the runner at second in the eighth inning.
The game moved to the 10th inning after a scoreless ninth with sophomore Annie Fleming placed on second-base with one out when Brodner smashed a two-run bomb to left field to give the Illini the 4-2 lead.
After a leadoff walk put two runners on with no outs in the bottom of the 10th, back-to-back outs left CSUN to their final out. The Illini would intentionally walk the next batter to load the bases and an Illini fielding error cut the lead 4-3. Wonderly then stepped up once again for her career-high 10th strike out to end the game and give the Illini the 4-3 victory.
The Illini totaled four hits and one error in the triumph, while the Matadors record five hits and two errors.
Wonderly (6-3) earned the win after giving up three runs, with just one run earned, on five hits in a 10-inning gem.
Troost fell in the game two decision after pitching every inning for the Matadors on the day, allowing four runs, two earned, on four hits in 10 innings of action.
The Fighting Illini next return to Eichelberger Field for their 2016 Big Ten opener against No. 22/24 Nebraska on March 25-27 with game times set for 6, 1, and 12 p.m. CT, respectively.
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