URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team earned a doubleheader sweep of Green Bay, 4-1 and 6-4, in nonconference action on a cold and windy Wednesday (April 18) evening at Eichelberger Field.
Junior Kiana Sherlund led the Illini (27-15, 6-6 B1G) with a 5-for-7 effort with two RBI and two runs on the day.
Quotable
"Veronica Ruelius was a bright spot for us today. She hit the ball hard throughout both games and was solid at first base. Emily Oestreich came into game two and dominated. She has been working hard on her change up and it was effective." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
Game One: Illinois 4, Green Bay 1
Junior Stephanie Abello got the Illini scoring going in the opening frame with an RBI double to right center, before redshirt-sophomore Veronica Ruelius made it 2-0 with her second home run of the season. Senior Leigh Farina doubled the Illini lead in the fourth with a two-out, two-run double to left center for the 4-0 edge.
The Phoenix broke up the shutout with a run in the fifth on an RBI single, but the Illini defense and junior Taylor Edwards sealed the victory with a lineout double play to senior Sam Acosta in the seventh.
The Illini totaled five hits, but suffered two errors. Farina paced the offense with a hit and two RBI, while Sherlund, Ruelius and freshman Bella Loya each notched a hit and a run.
Edwards (9-7) allowed just one run on six hits and two walks and struck out one in a complete game victory.
Game Two: Illinois 6, Green Bay 4
After a opening inning home run and a two-run second frame put the Phoenix ahead 3-0, the Illini battled back as Sherlund delivered a two-RBI single through the right side in the bottom of the second, before Loya knotted the score at 3-3 with a bomb to left field – tying her with senior Maddi Doane for the team lead with seven homers on the season.
An RBI double in the top of the fifth gave Green Bay back the lead at 5-4, but again the Illini responded as Thomas opened the bottom half of the inning with a double through the right side. Abello then put runners at the corners with a single up the middle, before Loya brought the duo in after reaching on an error by the Phoenix second baseman.
Abello added an insurance run in the sixth on an RBI foul out sacrifice fly as the Illini went on for the 6-4 win and doubleheader sweep.
UI registered 12 hits and an error in the win, with Sherlund going 4-for-4 with two RBI, a run and a stolen base to pace the team. Loya added three RBI, one hit and one run, with Thomas and Ruelius each knocking two hits in the contest.
Junior Emily Oestreich (13-7) entered in the circle in the second inning in relief of sophomore starter Akilah Mouzon and gave up just one earned run on one hit and one walk, while tying a season-high with eighth strikeouts in 5.2 innings to earn her 13th win of the season. Mouzon went 1.1 frames, allowing three runs – only two earned – on three hits and two walks and struck out one in the outing.
What's Next
The Illini continue their seven-game homestand this weekend as they host Iowa for a three-game Big Ten series on April 20-22 at Eichelberger Field.
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.
