URBANA, Ill. – The Illinois softball team opened its 2019 home schedule with a 9-4 victory over IUPUI on Tuesday (March 19) at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini, who improve to 17-5 on the season, move to 15-4 in home openers in the friendly confines of Eichelberger Field. It is the best start to the season since 2010 when the Illini opened the season 21-2.
"It felt great to finally play at home in front of our Illini fans," said head coach Tyra Perry. "Kailee Powell did an excellent job at the plate for us in the designated player spot."
In her final home opener, redshirt-senior Carly Thomas paced the squad with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate that included a double as well as three RBI and a run, while sophomore Bella Loya also turned in a 3-for-4 effort with a double, two RBI and two runs. Freshman Kailee Powell added two hits, two RBI and a run in the win.
Senior Emily Oestreich (4-2) earned the win after giving up three earned runs on seven hits and a walk and struck out two in five innings, with junior Akilah Mouzon notching her second career save with six-straight outs in two shutout frames.
After three scoreless innings to open the game, the Jaguars (6-21) broke through with a sac fly in the top of the fourth for the 1-0 lead, but the Illini answered right back with a five-run bottom half of the frame with RBI singles from Loya and Powell and a three RBI double from Thomas.
IUPUI closed within 5-4 with three runs in the fifth, but UI responded with four-straight scores, including a Maddison Demers RBI groundout in the fifth and three runs in the sixth on an error and RBI hits from Loya and Powell, to take the 9-4 victory.
Next Up
The Illini continue their homestand with a doubleheader at Eichelberger Field against Indiana State on Wednesday (March 20) at 4 & 6 p.m. CT.
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