CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini softball team dropped their Big Ten Conference series finale with No. 6 Minnesota as the Gophers shutout Illinois, 4-0, on Sunday (April 2) afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini fall to 24-10 on the season and 4-2 in the Big Ten, while Minnesota improves to 30-3 and 5-1 in the conference standings.
Following a leadoff double, the Gophers grabbed an early lead with an RBI single through the right side in the top of the opening inning and made it 2-0 on an RBI double to left center in the third.
Trailing by a pair of runs, the Illini threatened in the sixth as senior Alyssa Gunther started the frame with an infield single, before a double to left field from senior Nicole Evans and a walk issued to sophomore Stephanie Abello loaded the bases with one out. Back-to-back outs then ended the inning as the Illini could not capitalize on the opportunity. For the game, the Illini stranded eight base runners against the Gophers.
Minnesota then added a pair of insurance runs on a two-run home run to centerfield in the top of the seventh to seal the 4-0 victory.
The Illini registered five hits on the day, with Gunther totaling two to lead UI.
Senior Breanna Wonderly (10-9) started and went 6.1 innings in the loss, allowing four runs, with only three earned, on six hits and three walks, while striking out two. Sophomore Taylor Edwards and junior Erin Walker each saw relief action in the seventh frame.
Gopher pitcher Sara Groenewegen (15-2) struck out 11 en route to a five-hit, complete game shutout win over the Illini.
Illinois continues Big Ten play with a midweek doubleheader at Northwestern on Wednesday (April 5), starting at 2 p.m. CT on BTN. The Illini then return to Eichelberger Field for a three-game series against Purdue on April 7-9.
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