URBANA, Ill. – Sophomore Carly Thomas and junior Nicole Evans each knocked a two-run home run and sophomore Kate Giddens pitched 4.2 shutout innings to lift the Fighting Illini softball team to a 9-7 come-from-behind win over Eastern Illinois on a rainy Wednesday (April 20) afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
With the win, the Illini, who have won three of their last four contests, improve to 26-18 on the season, while the Panthers fall to 15-24.
After an action-packed first inning that saw each team score four runs on a combined seven hits and three errors, Evans broke the 4-4 tie with a blast off of the new Eichelberger Field scoreboard for the 6-4 Illini advantage. It was her team-leading 11th home run of the season.
The lead was short-lived as EIU answered an inning later as a base-loaded walk issued to Jennette Isaac was followed by a two-run double to left centerfield from Kayla Bear to push the Panthers ahead by one at 7-6.
Thomas then put the Illini ahead for good in the fifth inning with a two-run shot to left field after redshirt-freshman Emily Brodner notched a two-out single to centerfield to keep the inning alive. Thomas's sixth long ball of the season came at just the right time as the sophomore was in the midst of a four-game hitting slump.
Sophomore Annie Fleming added an Illini insurance run in the sixth on a single through the right side, plating senior Allie Bauch on the play.
The Illini totaled 11 hits and an error in the win, while the Panthers collected 12 hits and three miscues. Evans was on fire at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and a homer, three RBI and two runs. Junior Alyssa Gunther added two hits, two runs, while Bauch registered a hit and two runs.
The Illini nabbed five stolen bases on the night, with Fleming swiping two in the win.
With the Illini trailing by a run in third frame, Giddens (2-0) entered in the circle and pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and one walk en route to earning her third career win. Junior Jade Vecvanags started the game and gave up four runs on four hits and a pair of walks in 0.2 innings, with freshman Taylor Edwards making a relief appearance with 1.2 innings of work and allowing three runs on three hits and a pair of walks.
Jessica Wireman (11-17) took the loss for the Panthers after giving up nine runs, seven earned, on 10 hits and three walks, while striking out two.
The Illini next hit the road for a three-game Big Ten Conference series in Madison, Wis., against Wisconsin on April 22-24 in Goodman Diamond. First pitch for the three weekend contests are slated for 4 p.m. CT on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
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.
