STARKVILLE, Miss. – Junior Emily Oestreich did not allow a hit in six innings en route to tossing just the 13th no-hitter in program history and senior Kate Giddens sealed the win with a walk-off grand slam in an 11-0 run-rule victory over UMass-Lowell on Saturday (March 10) afternoon.
Oestreich (6-3) was dominant in the circle for the Illini (10-8), equaling a season-high eight strikeouts, while allowing just three base runners all day on three walks.
Quotable
"In our pre-game huddle, we talked about how a new day brings an opportunity to bounce back and return to playing quality softball. I thought we showed a ton of poise early and maintained a high level of play throughout the game. Emily Oestreich was great in the circle and Kate Giddens' grand slam to end the day was exciting." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
The Illini broke things opened in the bottom of the third with five runs on five RBI hits, including three-straight singles from redshirt-junior Carly Thomas, junior Stephanie Abello and senior Rowan McGuire. Freshman Maddison Demers then knocked in a run on an single through the left side and senior Maddi Doane made it 5-0 with the Illini's second triple of the season.
Junior Kiana Sherlund added a run in the fourth as she came home on an attempted steal by senior Sam Acosta.
After play was halted by an hour and 55 minute lightning and rain delay heading into bottom of the sixth, Sherlund led off inning with a triple, before coming home on an RBI single from Thomas. Back-to-back hit-by-pitches loaded the bases for Giddens, who sent a bomb to left field for the walkoff win. It was Giddens' first home run of the season and second career long ball.
The Illini registered 14 hits in the win, while the River Hawks (2-9) suffered three errors on the day. Thomas continued her hot streak at the plate with two hits, two runs and two RBI, while Sherlund added two hits and three runs. Abello, Demers and Doane each also contributed a pair of hits for the Illini.
What's Next
The Illini wrap play in Starkville, Miss., with their second meeting against UMass-Lowell at 11 a.m. CT on Sunday (March 11) morning.
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.
