CALEDONIA, Mich. – Behind another big fourth inning, the Fighting Illini softball team earned their fifth-straight win with a 6-3 victory over Michigan State on Friday (April 14) afternoon at Davenport University's Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex. The two teams were forced to relocate the series following the flooding of MSU's Secchia Softballl Stadium.
With the win, the Illini improve to 29-10 and 8-2 in the Big Ten, while the Spartans fall to 21-14 and 5-6 in the league standings.
"It was a hard fought win today," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Our offense was powered by our speed kids and capped off by Ruby Rivera's double in the fourth inning. Breanna Wonderly was masterful in the circle and Kiana Sherlund made an awesome catch in centerfield to end the game."
Senior Breanna Wonderly (14-9) earned the win after a strong outing in the circle, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and striking out a season-high tying five in a complete game effort.
Senior Alyssa Gunther struck first for the Illini in the top of the third with an RBI single down the left field line, before junior Maddi Doane added to the lead with an RBI single up the middle an inning later.
A four-run fourth frame pushed the Illini lead to 6-0 as back-to-back singles from Gunther and junior Annie Fleming and a hit-by-pitch to place senior Nicole Evans on first loaded the bases for senior Ruby Rivera, who then delivered a three-run double to deep right centerfield. Junior Leigh Farina capped the inning with an RBI single down the right field line.
The Spartans fought back with a pair of runs in the fifth on an RBI single combined with two Illini errors to score the batter on the same play and added a third on an RBI single through the right side in the sixth, but Wonderly and the Illini defense held tough to secure the 6-3 victory.
For the game, the Illini registered 10 hits and two errors, while the Spartans tallied seven hits and three miscues. Rivera paced all players with three RBI to go along with two runs and a hit, while Gunther and Doane each added two hits, a run and an RBI on the day.
Illinois wraps up its series with MSU on Saturday (April 15) with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. CT at Davenport University's Farmers Insurance Athletic Complex.
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.
