LEXINGTON, Ky. – Junior Breanna Wonderly allowed just one earned run on five hits and struck out two in six innings in the circle, but the Illinois softball team was shutout offensively, falling to Utah, 1-0, in game one of the NCAA Softball Lexington Regional on Friday morning (May 20) at John Cropp Stadium.
The Illini, who move to 35-22 on the season, will now have to battle back from elimination in a win-or-go home game on Saturday (May 21) at 2:30 p.m. CT. The Illini will face the loser of the Kentucky-Butler contest, which was in a rain delay with officials reevaluating at 4 p.m. The Wildcats held a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning when the game was halted.
The Utes (33-19) needed just one run in the pitcher's duel as an RBI single from Anissa Urtez to plate Kay Kay Fronda from second in the third inning was the difference in the game.
The Illini had a chance in the top of the seventh frame as a leadoff single from Annie Fleming, along with a pair of walks loaded the bases with two outs and senior Kylie Johnson at the plate, but UI could not capitalize with the tying run just 60 feet away.
Utah pitcher Miranda Viramontes (9-7) threw 6.2 scoreless innings in the circle, giving up just three hits and one walk, while striking out six in the win. Katie Donovan entered midway through the top the seventh to collect the save.
Illinois committed one error in the setback and got hits from Fleming and juniors Alyssa Gunther and Nicole Evans.
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