CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – The Fighting Illini softball team split its opening day of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, earning a 5-1 win over Saint Mary's, before dropping a 2-1 decision to RV/No. 22 Cal on Friday (Feb. 17) at the Big League Dreams Complex.
The Illini moves to 5-2 on the season.
"We faced two strong opponents today and came out 1-1," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We were expecting the win against Cal in the second game, but we were just a play or two away from getting it done. Tomorrow is a new day and with it comes a new opportunity. Our goals for Saturday's games are to play team ball and stay focused."
RV/RV Illinois 5, Saint Mary's 1
Junior Annie Fleming got the scoring going in the opening inning as a RBI double to left field scored sophomore Kiana Sherlund, before a double steal in the second with junior Maddi Doane coming home on the play put the Illini up 2-0.
SMC cut the lead to one run in the top of the fifth with a two-out, RBI ground out, but the Illini responded with a two-out rally in the bottom of the frame to plate three runs on six hits, including an RBI double from sophomore Stephanie Abello, followed by an RBI single from senior Ruby Rivera. Sophomore Alexis Carrillo then delivered a clutch pinch-hit RBI single to center field for the 5-1 advantage.
Sophomore Taylor Edwards (3-0) continued her strong play to earn her third win of the season, allowing just one earned run on three hits and struck out one in 5.0 innings of work. Freshman Hanna Nilsen made her Illini debut with an inning of relief action, giving up one hit and one walk in the appearance. Junior Kate Giddens finished off the game for the Orange and Blue with a hitless seventh inning.
Illinois totaled 12 hits and an error in the win, while the Gaels had four hits and committed three errors in the setback. Sherlund led the Illini with a 3-for-4 effort plus one run scored, while redshirt-sophomore Emily Brodner added a pair of hits.
RV/No. 22 Cal 2, RV/RV Illinois 1
It was a tightly contested rematch between the Illini and the Bears, with Cal grabbing the early 2-0 lead with a two-run single up the middle from Bradie Filmore in the second frame.
The Illini answered in the third as junior Leigh Farina reached on a Cal fielding error and then came home on an RBI triple from sophomore Kiana Sherlund to bring UI within 2-1, but it would be all Illinois could get as the Bears took the one-run win.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (1-2) pitched her second complete game of the season, giving up two runs, with only one earned, on six hits and a walk and struck out two in the outing.
The Illini totaled three hits in the contest, with Sherlund going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a triple and Gunther adding a single. Cal registered six hits and an error on the day.
The Illini continue play at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on Saturday (Feb. 18) taking on UC Davis at 11:30 a.m. CT and Arkansas at 2:30 p.m. in the Big League Dreams Softball Complex.
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