URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team earned its second Big Ten Conference series win of the season as the Illini earned a 7-1 victory over Maryland on a cold Saturday (April 7) afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
Junior Taylor Edwards (8-6) had another strong outing in the circle for the Illini (24-13, 5-4 B1G) as she allowed just one unearned run on five hits and struck out two in six innings of work.
Senior Leigh Farina led the Illini offense with a 3-for-3 performance with a triple and a double to go along with a team-high three RBI. Junior Kiana Sherlund added a 3-for-4 effort with one run, while redshirt-junior Carly Thomas knocked a hit and two runs in the win.
Quotable
"Today was another great day of quality softball. Taylor Edwards was strong in the circle and Oestreich did a great job finishing in the seventh. We were solid at the plate. Leigh Farina's hit gave us the boost that we needed to stay in control of the game." - head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
Similar to Friday's series opener, the Illini jumped out to a quick 3-0 edge in the first as junior Stephanie Abello and freshman Bella Loya knocked back-to-back RBI hits, followed by an RBI sac fly from senior Maddi Doane to plate senior pinch runner Jill Nicklas.
The Terps (15-22, 5-3 B1G) got a run back with an unearned score on a sacrifice fly in the top of the third, but the Illini added four insurance runs in the fifth as senior pinch hitter Rowan McGuire delivered a clutch RBI single, before Farina cleared the bases for a three-run double to right center and the 7-1 lead.
Junior Emily Oestreich then entered in the seventh for Edwards and threw a one-two-three inning to secure the win.
The Illini tallied 10 hits and an error on the day.
What's Next
The Illini will go for the series sweep of Maryland on Sunday (April 8) with a 12 p.m. contest 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.
