Urbana, Ill. – The Illinois softball team knocked three home runs en route to a 7-0 victory over DePaul in a rain-shortened contest that was called in the bottom of the fifth inning on Tuesday (April 30) afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
The Illini (28-22) were paced at the dish by a 2-for-2 performance with two RBI and a run from redshirt-senior Carly Thomas, while classmate Annie Fleming also turned in two hits, two runs and an RBI.
Fleming started off the scoring with a solo home run in the opening frame, before the Illini broke things open with a six-run inning in the fourth, highlighted by the first career homer – a three-run dinger - from sophomore Shelby Stauffenberg. Thomas then added a two-run long ball, with senior Stephanie Abello knocking her first triple of the season for the 7-0 edge.
Looking to get the run-rule win, the Illini loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning, before the game was halted and then called due to heavy rain.
Senior Taylor Edwards (4-7) earned the complete game shutout win after allowing just two hits and two walks and striking out five in five innings.
Next Up
The Illini next host Purdue in their last conference series on May 3-5 at Eichelberger Field. UI will hold its annual World's Largest Softball Tailgate on Saturday prior to the game, before celebrating the 2019 senior class of Fleming, Thomas, Abello, Edwards, Danielle Brochu, Alexis Carrillo, Emily Oestreich, Veronica Ruelius and Kiana Sherlund following the conclusion of the contest.
For more Fighting Illini softball news, stay tuned to FIGHTINGILLINI.com and follow @IlliniSB on social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook.
