URBANA, Ill. – Senior Sam Acosta drove in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning and classmate Maddi Doane threw out the lead Eastern Illinois runner for the final out of the game as the Illini went on for a 5-4 win over the Panthers on Wednesday (April 25) night at Eichelberger Field.
With the win, the Illini (31-15) equaled their longest win streak of the season at six games.
Junior Kiana Sherlund knocked a pair of hits – including a triple – while adding an RBI and a run in the win. It was Sherlund's eighth three-bagger of the season, which sets a program record for triples in a season.
Quotable
"We work on our outfielders throwing to third, so it was pretty cool to watch that happen and to end the game. We had another big hit from Bella Loya, who comes out and works hard. Not only can she catch, she can play first and has been our designated player at times. How many freshmen can play one position, let alone multiple positions, and then her power in the box is another strength of hers. She has a high ceiling and we cannot wait to watch her reach that. This weekend we will have to continue to trust ourselves, trust our training and play as a team to continue our success." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
The Panthers (29-15) scored a run in each of the first two frames on a leadoff home run and an RBI single to built a 2-0 edge, but freshman Bella Loya answered back for the Illini with a two-run long ball – her eighth of the season - to left field to knot the score at 2-2 in the fourth.
Heading into the top of the sixth, EIU retook the lead at 4-2 with a two-run double, but the Illini put together a three-run rally in the bottom half of the inning, starting with Doane's team-leading ninth homer of the season to lead things off. After a walk was issued to redshirt-sophomore Veronica Ruelius, Sherlund plated the tying run on a clutch two-out triple down the left field line. One batter later, Acosta beat out the throw for an infield RBI single to bring in the go-ahead run.
The Panthers looked to rally themselves with a two-out walk, followed by a single to right center, but Doane launched the perfect throw to Acosta at third base to throw out the lead runner and secure the 5-4 victory.
Junior Taylor Edwards (13-7) earned the win after 2.1 innings of relief action, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks and striking out one. Junior Emily Oestreich started the contest, giving up two runs on four hits and a walk and striking out one in 1.2 frames. Sophomore Akilah Mouzon entered in the second for Oestreich and threw three hitless innings.
As a team, the Illini totaled eight hits in the win.
What's Next
The Illini next head to University Park, Pa., for their final Big Ten Conference road series of the season at Penn State on April 27-29 at Beard 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.
