ATLANTA, Ga. --The Illinois softball team began the ACC/B1G Challenge with a 6-1 victory over Louisville at Mewborn Field on Friday afternoon.
Tori McQueen pitched a complete game for the Fighting Illini, allowing one run on six hits while striking out four.
Stevie Meade led the way offensively for Illinois (3-3), going 2-for-4 in the ballgame with a home run. Avrey Steiner chipped in with a standout day at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with an RBI. Danielle Davis also contributed with a two RBI double.
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a scoreless first for both squads, the Illini offense broke out first as Meade put Illinois on the board with a one-out solo homer.
The Cardinals (4-2) failed to push any runs across before Illinois scored on an RBI single off the bat of Steiner in the second frame, Holding the 2-0 edge, the Fighting Illini added three runs in the frame. Paige Berkmeyer tallied an RBI single while a two-RBI double from Davis gave the Orange and Blue the 5-0 advantage.
Steiner crossed home plate with the lone run of the sixth inning for the Fighting Illini after an error by the Cards scored the Fowler, Ohio, native. Louisville put one run on the scoreboard before the game ended favoring the Illini. 6-1.
The Orange and Blue are back in action when the Illini battle Louisville in a rematch on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. CT. The team follows the contest with a game against host Georgia Tech at 5 p.m. CT.
GAME NOTES
» Illinois wore grey uniforms, moving to 1-2 while wearing those.
» The Illini are 3-0 when scoring five or more runs.
» McQueen's complete game was the second by an Illini pitcher and the first for the southpaw this season. Sydney Sickels tossed a 9.0 inning complete game against Fordham at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
» Illinois moved to 1-0 against teams receiving votes in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll
