ATLANTA, Ga. – The Illinois softball team opened play at the I-75 Challenge with a doubleheader split against Georgia State, taking the opening game, 6-0, before falling 13-4 in six innings in game two in UI's first road tests of the season at the Heck Softball Complex on Friday (Feb. 24).
The Illini improve to 6-4 on the season, while GSU moves to 9-4.
"[Breanna] Wonderly came out strong and set the tone in the game one," said head coach Tyra Perry. "She was firing on all cylinders and did her job. It was great to see [Danielle] Brochu come in and close out the game. Our offense and defense were both solid."
"I was disappointed that we did not use our momentum from game one to compete in our second game. We had our chances but did not capitalize."
Game One: Illinois 6, Georgia State 0
The Illini broke the scoreless tie in the third as back-to-back singles from sophomore Kiana Sherlund and senior Alyssa Gunther set up an RBI single to center field to score Sherlund. Senior Nicole Evans then bombed a three-run home run – her third of the season - to left field for the 4-0 lead.
Gunther then notched an RBI of her own in the fourth on a fielder's choice to plate junior Leigh Farina, before coming home on a two-base throwing error from GSU catcher Ivie Drake to put the Illini up 6-0.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (2-3) turned in a strong performance in the circle, allowing just two hits and one walk, while striking out one in five shutout innings for the win. Junior Erin Walker and sophomore Danielle Brochu each worked an inning of relief, with neither allowing a hit in their outings.
The Illini totaled 11 hits in the win, with GSU scattering two hits to go along with two errors. Gunther went 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI to pace the Orange and Blue, with junior Annie Fleming adding two hits, a run and an RBI and Sherlund posting two hits and a run in the victory.
Game Two: Georgia State 13, Illinois 4 (6 inn.)
The Panthers struck first in the day's second game, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the second on an RBI single up the middle, followed by a two-run double to left field.
An RBI bloop single to centerfield from Farina in the top of the second closed the deficit to 2-1, but a two-run GSU double pushed the home team's edge to 4-1 in the bottom half of the frame.
Sophomore Stephanie Abello then put the Illini within one at 4-3 with a two-run shot to left field, her third long ball of the season in the third.
The Panthers responded with four runs in the fourth, a run in the fifth and another four runs in the sixth – including a three-run homer that sealed the GSU victory. Senior Ruby Rivera added a solo home run, her first of the season, in the top of the sixth for the 13-4 final.
The Illini totaled nine hits and two errors, while the Panthers registered 16 hits and one miscue. Abello tallied a 2-for-3 effort with two RBI and a run. Farina added two hits in the contest.
Sophomore Taylor Edwards (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season after allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks in 1.2 innings. Junior Kate Giddens, sophomore Danielle Brochu and freshmen Hanna Nilsen and Akilah Mouzon all saw action in relief for the Illini, giving up nine runs on 10 hits and three walks.
Illinois continues play at the I-75 Classic with a trip to Kennesaw, Ga., on Saturday (Feb. 25) to take on Kennesaw State in doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. CT at Bailey Park.
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