WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Behind a stellar performance in the circle from junior pitcher Breanna Wonderly and an offensive explosion in the eighth inning, the Fighting Illini softball team started off their three-game Big Ten Conference series at Purdue with a 4-0 shutout on Friday (April 15) night at Boilermaker Softball Stadium.
With the win, the Illini improve to 24-17 and 4-8 in the Big Ten, snapping a seven-game conference losing streak, while the Boilermakers fall to 23-18 and 5-7 in the league standings.
"We fought hard today," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Purdue is a good team and Lilly is one of the top pitchers in our league. I was proud of the way our offense attacked the zone early in the game. It set the stage for our timely hits in the eighth inning. Breanna Wonderly was masterful in the circle. She is a competitor and always gives 100 percent."
Wonderly (9-7), who pitched all eight frames for the Illini, did not allow a hit until the sixth inning and held the Boilermakers to just two hits on the night, while striking out six in the win.
It was a scoreless tie through the first seven innings, but the Illini bats came alive at the right time with a four-run eighth that sealed the victory. After leaving nine runners on base in the previous seven frames, the Illini came through in the clutch as a hit-by-pitch and singles from junior Nicole Evans and sophomore Annie Fleming loaded the bases. Redshirt-freshman Emily Brodner then delivered an RBI single through the left side for the first run of the game.
The Illini poured it on with an RBI ground out from freshman pinch hitter Stephanie Abello, followed by a two-run stand-up double from senior Allie Bauch.
UI outhit the Boilermakers, 11-2, with PU committing one error in the game. Fleming notched a 3-for-4 effort with one run and two stolen bases, while Bauch and senior Kylie Johnson collected two hits each.
Lilly Fecho (16-9) allowed four earned runs on 11 hits and three walks in eight innings of work to take the loss.
Illinois continues its three-game conference series with the Boilermakers on Saturday (April 14) at 2 p.m. CT in Boilermaker Softball Stadium.
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.
