URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team homered three times in the first two innings en route to a 7-2 win over IUPUI on a sunny Tuesday (May 1) evening at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini (34-16, 11-7 B1G) earned their ninth win in the last 10 games.
Redshirt-junior Carly Thomas paced the offense with a 2-for-3 performance with two home runs, four RBI and a pair of runs in the victory. Freshman Bella Loya knocked a pair of hits, an RBI and a run, while junior Stephanie Abello notched two runs, a hit and two walks on the day. Junior Kiana Sherlund added three walks and two runs for the Illini.
Quotable
"Today was a good opportunity for us to get back on track. Our pitchers did a good job of working ahead and finishing off batters. Our defense is steadily improving. Offensively, we started off strong but cooled off a little at the end. Carly Thomas had an excellent day with two home runs." – head coach Tyra Perry
What Happened
It was a quick start for the Illini as Thomas started things off with a two-run homer to left field, before Loya made it 3-0 with a solo home run to the same location in the opening frame.
It was déjà vu for the home team in the second inning as Thomas delivered her second two-run long ball of the game for the 5-0 lead. Later in the frame, senior Maddi Doane knocked the third-straight Illini single with Abello coming home on an IUPUI (14-31) fielding error.
The Jaguars broke through with an unearned run in the fourth on an Illini fielding error, before breaking up the no-hitter in the sixth as a leadoff single then scored on an RBI triple later in the inning.
The Illini added an unearned run on an IUPUI throwing error in the bottom of the sixth to seal the 7-2 victory.
Junior Danielle Brochu (2-0) earned the win after giving up just one unearned run on one walk and striking out two in 2.0 innings of relief action. Classmate Taylor Edwards started the game and did not allow a base runner, while notching one strikeout in 3.0 frames. Junior Emily Oestreich finished off the win with 2.0 innings of work, allowing one earned run on two hits and striking out one.
What's Next
The Illini welcome in Nebraska for a three-game conference series this weekend (May 4-6). The popular World's Largest Softball Tailgate promotion is set for Saturday (May 5) beginning at 11 a.m., with Senior Day festivities following the conclusion of the game.
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.
