CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Illinois softball team completed action in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Sunday (February 18) morning with a five-inning 9-0 setback to Pittsburgh in Anderson Stadium.
Quotable
"The energy and effort we played with yesterday against UNC was nonexistent today. Good teams show up for every game ready to give maximum effort and energy. We are learning that lesson the hard way. This week we will continue to focus on the little things at practice and work towards becoming a consistent threat on both offense and defense." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
It was a rough start for the Illini as the Panthers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the opening frame on three UI errors and four hits, including a two-run single down the left field line.
UP then added a run in the second on an RBI single through the left side, a three-run home run in the third and a score on an error in the fourth for the 9-0 final.
Junior Taylor Edwards (1-4) started the game and went one inning after allowing four runs – only one earned – on four hits and a walk, while striking out one. Classmate Danielle Brochu entered in the second and went 0.1 frames, allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks, while sophomore Akilah Mouzon finished off the final 2.2 innings, giving up four runs – three earned – on six hits and striking out two.
The Illini totaled five hits, but committed four errors, while the Panthers registered 11 hits and one error. Juniors Kiana Sherlund and Leigh Farina, redshirt-junior Carly Thomas and sophomores Stephanie Abello and Alexis Carrillo each notched hits on the day.
What's Next
The Illini will have a bye weekend before returning to action at the Coach B Classic, hosted by Southern Illinois in Carbondale, Ill., on March 2-4.
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.
