UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Behind a 3-for-4 performance with five RBI and three runs at the plate from Senior Allie Bauch and a three-hit outing from junior pitcher Jade Vecvanags, the Illinois softball team routed Penn State for its fourth-straight Big Ten Conference series win with a 9-0 six-inning victory in the regular-season finale at the Nittany Lion Softball Park on Sunday (May 8).
The Illini finish the first regular season under head coach Tyra Perry with a 34-20 overall record and a 12-11 mark in the Big Ten Conference. The Illini's 34 wins equal the 2002 team for the fifth most in program history. Since April 15, the Illini have lost just three games, including winning the last seven of eight contests.
"We truly played Illinois softball today and it was fun to watch," said Perry on her team's performance. "We will now shift our focus onto finals and taking exams with the same intensity and focus in which we finished the regular season."
"Tournament play is always exciting. This year's Big Ten Tournament has the makings of a great one. We are all looking forward to making our move towards a championship opportunity."
It was a quick start for the Illini as three-straight hits opened the first frame with senior Allie Bauch singling up the middle and was then plated on a double from junior Alyssa Gunther, who was thrown out trying to reach third. Junior Nicole Evans then added a solo shot to left field for the 2-0 lead. It was her 12th home run of the season and the 35th of her career.
After back-to-back two-out hits from sophomore Carly Thomas and senior Kylie Johnson, Bauch made it 5-0 in favor of the Orange and Blue with a three-run shot to right center, her seventh homer of the season and 28th of her career.
Bauch added to her RBI total in the top of the sixth with a two-run single to centerfield, before RBI singles from Evans and junior Ruby Rivera sealed the 9-0 run-rule victory.
The Illini outhit the Nittany Lions, 12-3, with PSU committing one error in the contest. The Illini had five players registered multiple hits, with Evans going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run and junior Alyssa Gunther knocked two hits, an RBI and a run.
Thomas added two hits and two runs, while Rivera contributed two hits and an RBI.
Vecvanags (13-10) went all six innings for the Illini and limited the Nittany Lions to just three hits and a walk, while striking out four in her fourth shutout of the season.
Marlaina Laubach (11-12) took the loss for PSU after giving up two runs on three hits in an inning of work. Madison Seifert and Christy Von Pusch also saw action in the setback.
The Fighting Illini will return to University Park, Pa., next weekend for the 2016 Big Ten Conference Tournament, hosted by PSU at Nittany Lion Softball Park on May 12-14. Seeding and game times for the tournament will be announced later today.
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