STARKVILLE, Miss. – Redshirt-junior Carly Thomas totaled five hits and three RBI on the day, but the Illinois softball team dropped a doubleheader to Mississippi State, 9-5 and 12-1 in five innings, at Nusz Park on Friday (March 9) evening.
Quotable
"Today was a tough day. We hit the ball hard in game one, but strayed away from our game plan in the second game." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
Game 1: Mississippi State 9, Illinois 5
The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 4-0 advantage with a pair of two-run home runs in the bottom of the opening frame, before adding another four scores in the second on an RBI double, followed by a three-run home run.
The Illini got on the board in the top of fourth as back-to-back singles from Thomas and junior Stephanie Abello put two on, before junior Alexis Carrillo plated a run on an RBI groundout.
A bases-loaded walk for MSU pushed the edge to 9-1 in the bottom of the fourth, but the Illini continued to fight with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on a Thomas RBI single, followed by a Bulldog throwing error to score senior Sam Acosta.
Back-to-back singles from junior Kiana Sherlund and Acosta started the seventh for the Illini, before Thomas registered her fourth hit and second RBI of the game with a single up the middle. Junior Stephanie Abello then plated Acosta to cut the lead to four, but the comeback effort fell short as MSU went on for the 9-5 win.
Junior Emily Oestreich (5-3) threw 1.1 innings, giving up eight earned runs on seven hits and a walk to take the loss. Junior Danielle Brochu entered in the second and allowed just one earned run on five hits and four walks, while striking out three in 4.2 innings of quality relief.
The Illini totaled 10 hits to the Bulldogs' 12, with MSU also committing three errors.
Game 2: Mississippi State 12, Illinois 1 // 5 innings
The Illini struck first in the opening inning of the day's second game as Thomas and Acosta knocked back-to-back hits, before senior Maddi Doane notched an RBI single to shallow left center field.
MSU answered back with four runs in the bottom of the first on four hits and an Illini error, before a two-run home run in the second and a wild pitch in the third pushed the Bulldog lead to 7-1.
The Bulldogs then added another five runs on a hit-by-pitch and a grand slam in the fourth for the 12-1 final.
Junior Taylor Edwards (3-5) took the setback after allowing seven earned runs on eight hits and two walks and struck out two. Brochu and senior Kate Giddens each saw relief action, with Brochu not registering an out, while giving up three earned runs on a hit and two walks. Giddens threw 1.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on a hit and striking out one.
As a team, the Illini posted five hits and suffered two errors, with Doane going 2-for-2 with an RBI.
What's Next
Due to weather, the Illini's Saturday contest against UMass-Lowell has been canceled. UI is back in action on Sunday (March 11) with an 11 a.m. CT game against UMass-Lowell at Nusz Park.
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.
