GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico – The Illinois softball team combined to score 16 runs on the opening day of the 2017 softball season, earning a 6-2 win over North Carolina in Friday's (Feb.10) first game held at the Donna Terry Softball Stadium, before routing Georgia Tech, 10-1, at the Puerto Rican National Stadium.
For the first time since 2014, the Illini open their season with a 2-0 record.
"We played hard nosed softball today and it was fun to watch," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Breanna Wonderly was a force in the circle in our opener against UNC. Taylor Edwards was steady in the second game against Georgia Tech. Our defense was solid all day and kept the momentum in our corner. We also had several consistent at bats from a number of players to spark the offense."
Illinois 6, North Carolina 2
Senior Nicole Evans started the scoring for the Illini in the day's opening game as she went yard in her first at-bat of the season in the first, before pushing the lead to 2-0 with an RBI-single to left field to drive in classmate Alyssa Gunther from second.
Junior Maddi Doane added to Illini edge in the fourth with her first career hit as an Illini – a single to right center – to bring home sophomore Alexis Carrillo. Redshirt-sophomore Emily Brodner then broke things open with a three-run home run down the left field line to give the Illini a 6-0 advantage.
UNC closed within 6-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth, but senior pitcher Breanna Wonderly (1-0) shut out the Tar Heels in the seventh to secure the season's first win.
Wonderly went all seven innings for the Illini, allowing just two runs on seven hits, while striking out four in a solid opening outing.
The Illini knocked 10 hits in the game, while UNC totaled seven hits and one error. Evans shined in her final collegiate opener, going 3-for-3 with two RBI, a run and a home run. Brodner added a 2-for-3 effort with three RBI, a run and a home run for the Orange and Blue.
Illinois 10, Georgia Tech 1
The Illini came out firing against the Yellow Jackets, scoring in every inning but one. Junior Annie Fleming opened the scoring by coming home as Evans stole second in the first, and reached on an error in the second to plate senior Alyssa Gunther.
Sophomore Stephanie Abello registered the Illini's third long ball of the day with her first career home run in the fourth, before a Brodner sacrifice fly made it 4-0 in the fifth.
Illinois then scored three runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings, highlighted by a two-run homer from Evans in the sixth and a two-RBI double from Doane in the seventh.
Sophomore Taylor Edwards (1-0) earned the shutout win after allowing just six hits and tallying five strikeouts in six innings of action. Sophomore Danielle Brochu – another newcomer from Arkansas – entered in the seventh and gave up one run on one hit in her Illini debut.
The Illini totaled 17 hits in the win, while limiting GT to just seven hits and one error. Evans was the star offensively with a 4-for-5 performance with two RBI and a run, while Doane collected three RBI on a 3-for-3 effort. Fleming and junior Leigh Farina also contributed three hits and two runs each.
The Illini are back in action tomorrow, taking on North Carolina at 8 a.m. CT and Georgia Tech at 10:30 a.m., before wrapping up against California on Sunday at 7 a.m.
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.
