KENNESAW, Ga. – The offense came alive for the Fighting Illini softball team as Illinois split its doubleheader with Kennesaw State on a windy Saturday (Feb. 25) afternoon at Bailey Park. The Illini falters in the day's opening game, 5-4, in eight innings, before responding with a 19-1, five-inning beat down in game two.
The Illini's 19 runs scored ties for the fourth-most in program history; with the last time UI scoring 19 coming against Charleston Southern 2002. The Illini set the program record with 22 runs against Indiana during the 2015 season.
UI's 20 hits in the second game also equals the most hits in a game in program history. The Illini last knocked 20 hits against Charleston Southern in 2002 and against Texas Southern in 2001.
Senior Alyssa Gunther had a standout day, going 5-for-7 for a .714 hitting percentage with three runs and three RBI. Junior Annie Fleming added four hits and a team-high six RBI. Senior Nicole Evans and Stephanie Abello each turned in two homers and three runs, with Evans collecting four RBI and Abello posting three. Sophomore Kiana Sherlund also had four hits and three runs on the day.
"Today was again a tale of two totally different games," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We were a hit away and/or a pitch away from two wins against a well-coached Kennesaw State team. Losing on a walk off, after losing that same way yesterday to Georgia State, was a tough pill to swallow. We talked to the team about the importance of bouncing back in the face of adversity and I feel that we responded in a big way to end the day."
Game One: Kennesaw State 5, Illinois 4 // 8 innings
KSU struck first with a two-out RBI single to centerfield in the first, before a solo home run to lead off the second frame made it 2-0 in favor of the home team.
The Illini stormed back with four runs in the third as junior Annie Fleming smoked a three-run home run off the KSU scoreboard in right field and sophomore Stephanie Abello added a solo shot later in the frame. It was Fleming's third of the season and Abello's team-leading fourth of the season.
Just a half inning later, the Owls knotted things at 4-4 with a two-run homer to right field.
With neither team scoring in regulation, the game headed to the eighth inning where KSU's Noelle Winkles sent a home run to right center for the 5-4 walk off win.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (2-4) took the loss after giving up five earned runs on eight hits and three walks in a complete game effort.
Game Two: Illinois 19, Kennesaw State 1 // 5 innings
The Illini jumped on the Owls early as Fleming came home on an attempted Gunther steal in the first inning, before Evans knocked her first homer of the day to left field for the early 2-0 lead.
A six-run second inning propelled the Illini to an 8-0 lead, with a Fleming two-run double to left center and another Evans bomb – this time a two-run shot to left center – highlighted the scoring.
KSU's lone score of the game came in the bottom of the second as Courtney Sutter sent a solo shot to centerfield.
The Illini answered back with two runs in the third, including junior Jill Nicklas registering her first career RBI on a fielder's choice to score classmate Sam Acosta.
Illinois then exploded to score nine runs in the fifth frame, including a two-run long ball to right field from sophomore Stephanie Abello.
Sohomore Taylor Edwards (4-1) went four innings for the Illini, allowing just one run on three hits and two walks and struck out three to earn the win. Sophomore Danielle Brochu entered for the fifth inning and gave up just one walk in the appearance.
Illinois returns to the field for its final game in the I-75 Challenge, traveling to face Georgia Tech for the third time this season on Sunday (Feb. 26) in a single game at 12 p.m. CT in Mewborn Field.
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