ORLANDO, Fla. – Illinois topped CSU Bakersfield, 8-2, in the team's season opener at the UCF Softball Complex on Friday afternoon.
Lauren Wiles earned the start in the circle. The senior allowed four runs on four hits with four strikeouts. Karley Yergler made her debut in the circle, tossing 2.0 innings while fanning three batters. Danika Frazier closed out the victory with two strikeouts in one inning pitched.
Offensively, the Fighting Illini were paced by Alaina Miller, who went 2-for-4 on the day with a triple and two RBI. Eileen Donahue furnished a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Illinois got off to a slow start, recording three errors in the opening frame to trail CSUB, 2-0, early.
After a scoreless second, the Fighting Illini stormed back, and a triple from Miller tied the game. Stevie Meade's sacrifice bunt scored the runner from third, giving the Orange and Blue the 3-2 edge.
In the fifth inning, Illinois extended its advantage after Donahue sent a two-RBI single up the middle. Four more came home, highlighted by an RBI single from Ella Cushing in her first collegiate at-bat, giving Illinois the 8-2 lead after the fifth.
Frazier entered the circle looking for the final three outs, and the freshman fanned the final batter to seal the 8-2 victory.
UP NEXT
Illinois faces off against No. 12/14 Georgia at 6 p.m. CT. First pitch is slated for ESPN+.
NOTES
» Alaina Miller tallied the first hit of the season for the Illini.
» Stevie Meade recorded her 29th-career sacrifice hit.
» Danika Frazier, Karley Yergler, Ella Cushing, Jackie Yeager and Ava Moore made their Illini debuts.
» The Fighting Illini out-hit the Roadrunners at a 7-2 clip.
» Illinois went 4-for-10 (.400) with runners in scoring position.
» Illini pitchers limited CSU Bakersfield to just 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
» The Fighting Illini drew seven walks from CSU Bakersfield pitching.
