LONGWOOD, Fla. – The Illinois softball team continued play at the Friends of Jaclyn Invitational on Saturday (February 10), suffering a pair of setbacks to South Alabama, 10-3, and host UCF, 3-2 in eight innings, at Soldiers Creek Park.
"Today was a tough day. We are struggling to find leadership in clutch situations," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Danielle Brochu showed a lot of heart in game one. We made a push at the end to give ourselves a chance but fell short."
"Emily Oestreich pitched well and kept us in the UCF game. We had our chances all game but fell short in the end. Tomorrow is another opportunity to get better. We will continue to work hard and improve."
South Alabama 10, Illinois 3
USA (2-1) took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning on a two-RBI single through the right side and a bases-loaded walk, before pushing to score to 8-0 with a four-run third frame and an RBI single in the fourth.
The Illini (1-3) kept the game alive in the fifth with three-straight singles, with senior Kate Giddens scoring on an error from the USA left fielder.
Both teams then notched a pair of runs in the seventh with junior Kiana Sherlund and senior Maddi Doane registering RBI hits for the 10-3 final.
Junior Taylor Edwards (0-2) took the loss with three earned runs on a hit and three walks in 1.1 innings, while junior Danielle Brochu had a strong outing in relief, allowing just two runs – only one earned – on four hits and striking out a career-high seven batters in four innings of work.
Junior Emily Oestreich entered in the second frame and gave up four runs – three earned – on two hits and three walks in 0.2 innings, while sophomore Akilah Mouzon finished off the game and allowed one run on two hits in an inning of action.
Both teams posted nine hits, with the Illini committing five errors and the Jaguars suffering three. Sherlund led the Illini with two hits, a run and an RBI, with Doane adding two hits and an RBI. Freshman Bella Loya also turned in the first two hits of her career.
UCF 3, Illinois 2 // 8 innings
The Illini jumped out quickly as senior Sam Acosta beat out an infield single to plate junior Stephanie Abello for the game's first run in the second inning, before a Doane RBI single down the left field line to score senior Carly Thomas.
Illinois held its two-run lead until the seventh inning as Oestreich controlled the game from the circle with a season-high eight strikeouts.
The Knights (3-1) came back to knot things at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI double down the left field line, followed by an RBI single to right field.
With the international tiebreaker in effect – with a runner placed on second - in the eighth frame, UCF knocked a walk-off single to left field to complete the comeback.
Despite the loss, Oestreich (1-1) had an impressive performance in the circle, allowing just two earned runs on five hits and one walk in seven innings of action. The junior held the Knights to just one hit through the first six innings, including posting a run of five-straight strikeouts.
The Illini notched six hits and one error in the loss, with Acosta recording two hits and an RBI to pace the offense.
The Illini will finish up play at the Friends of Jaclyn Invitational against Louisville on Sunday (Feb. 11) morning at 8 a.m. CT.
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.
