LOS ANGELES – The Illinois softball team outscored its opponents 20 to three en route to a pair of run-rule victories at the LMU Tournament on Friday (March 15) at Smith Field. The Illini opened with an 11-2 win over UC Santa Barbara, before earning a 9-1 victory over Cal Poly – with both wins coming in five innings.
"Today was a great day in all aspects," said head coach Tyra Perry. "We executed our game plan at a high level and saw several people step up to contribute in a big way. Now is a great time to start playing with this level of intensity on a consistent basis and I believe we are ready to do it."
The Illini (14-4) offense combined for 20 runs on 22 hits, including four doubles, two triples and a home run, while the UI pitching staff allowed just five hits on the day. Redshirt-senior Annie Fleming led the Illini with a 4-for-5 performance at the plate with three runs, while senior Stephanie Abello posted a team-high five RBI to go with three hits and a run. Sophomore Maddison Demers added four RBI, two hits and two runs on the day.
Illinois 11, UCSB 2 // 5 innings
The Illini scored in each of the first three innings, starting with a six-run opening frame that was highlighted by a two-run double from senior Alexis Carrillo and a two-run single from sophomore Katie Wingerter.
Seniors Veronica Ruelius and Stephanie Abello then combined to bring in the final five runs in during the second and third frames.
UCSB (6-20) plated a pair in the fourth, but senior Emily Oestreich entered in the circle and finished off the win.
Freshman Sydney Sickels (9-2) earned the win after tossing three scoreless innings and allowing just one walk and striking out one in the start.
Illinois 9, Cal Poly 1 // 5 innings
The Illini continued where they left off against the Mustangs, plating five runs in the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Demers.
After CPU brought in a run in the top of the fourth, the Illini added a run on an RBI sac fly from senior Kiana Sherlund in the fourth, before a three-run fifth sealed the victory. With runners at first and second, sophomore Rhein Trochim notched her first career triple to drive in the two, before Ruelius earned the walk-off win with an RBI sac fly to bring in Trochim.
Senior Taylor Edwards (1-0) registered her first win of the season after giving up just one earned run on four hits and four walks and striking out two in a complete game effort.
Next Up
The Illini continue LMU Tournament action on Saturday (March 16) as they take on No. 2/2/3 Oklahoma at 11 a.m. CT and host Loyola Marymount at 1:30 p.m. CT at Smith Field.
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