WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Illinois softball team bounced back to earn a Big Ten Conference series win with a doubleheader sweep of Purdue on Friday (March 23) afternoon at Bittinger Stadium. The Illini toughed out a three-hour, nine-inning 14-6 win in the day's first game, before notching a 10-2 run-rule victory in six innings in game two.
With the two wins, the Illini (21-10, 2-1 B1G) have now won 12 of their last 14 contests.
Quotable
"I thought we came out more focused today than yesterday. We were able to maintain that focus to win the extra-inning game and locked in again in game two. Akilah Mouzon and Danielle Brochu were both solid in relief." – head coach Tyra Perry.
What Happened
Game One: Illinois 14, Purdue 6 // 9 innings
After an RBI double from junior Stephanie Abello started off the scoring for the Illini in the first, the visitors added to their lead with a three-run third on another RBI double – this time from senior Sam Acosta - and a two-run single from freshman Bella Loya to take a 4-0 advantage.
The Boilermakers (7-24, 1-2 B1G) scratched a run across in the fourth, but senior Maddi Doane answered back with a two-run single through the right side for the 6-1 lead.
Purdue then put-together a five-run inning on three-straight RBI hits to tie things up at 6-6 in the bottom of the sixth and force extra innings.
After threatening in the eighth, the bats came alive in the ninth as the Illini broke through with eight runs on six hits and one Purdue error. Four-straight RBI hits was capped with a two-run knock down the left field line from senior pinch hitter Katie Gallagher, before redshirt-junior Carly Thomas added a two-RBI and Loya finished off the scoring with an RBI single to right field for the 14-6 final.
Sophomore Akilah Mouzon (3-1) earned the win with 3.2 shutout innings on four hits, three walks and a strikeout in the relief appearance. Junior Taylor Edwards started the game and gave up six earned runs on eight hits and four walks, while striking out a pair.
The Illini totaled 17 hits and committed one error, with junior Kiana Sherlund going 4-for-6 with two runs and an RBI to pace the team. Thomas added three runs, two hits and two RBI, while Doane contributed two hits and two RBI.
Game Two: Illinois 10, Purdue 2 // 6 innings
The Illini jumped out to an early lead with an Abello RBI single in the opening frame, before pushing the score to 3-0 on back-to-back RBI doubles from Doane and junior Alexis Carrillo in the fourth.
After a two-run Boilermaker home run in the bottom half of the frame cut the lead to one, the Illini responded with a four-run fifth as senior Sam Acosta knocked an RBI infield single, followed a Doane dropped fly with the bases loaded to bring in all three runners.
Illinois added three runs in the sixth starting with a Thomas RBI double, before Abello knocked a two-run dinger – her second of the season – to push the lead to eight at 10-2.
Junior Emily Oestreich (11-4) gave up just two runs on five hits and a walk in four frames to earn the win, while classmate Danielle Brochu allowed just two hits and struck out two in two innings of relief.
The Illini registered nine hits, with Abello going 2-for-3 with three RBI and two runs and Acosta adding two hits, two runs and an RBI in the win.
What's Next
The Illini returns to Eichelberger Field for their Big Ten home opener with a doubleheader against Northwestern on Wednesday (March 28). Both games will be streamed on BTN beginning at 3 p.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.
