URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (11-29, 2-10 Big Ten) fell to UCLA, 17-0, on Friday evening at Eichelberger Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first inning went by scoreless before Bri Alejandre notched a solo home run in the second frame to put the Bruins on the board.
The next two innings also saw no runs, despite a lead off base hit from Eileen Donahue in the bottom of the fourth.
Rylee Slimp sent a double to left field and Megan Grant brought her around with a two-score home run, increasing UCLA's advantage to three runs after five innings.
The Fighting Illini threatened in the sixth, with Skylar Brennan reaching on a walk, Ellie Haggard being hit, and Keirys Click also reaching on a walk to load the bases, but the third out came before Illinois could capitalize.
The Bruins notched six home runs and 14 total runs in the final frame, taking the 17-0 victory in the series opener.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Karley Yergler got the start in the circle, notching four strikeouts and falling to 2-14 on the year.
- Ellie Haggard went 1-for-2 at the plate and was also hit by pitch. She owns a hit in seven of the squad's 12 conference games.
- Eileen Donahue was 1-for-3 at the plate, with her batting average now sitting at .302 through 30 starts.
- Pinch hitter Ella Cushing tallied a double in her lone trip up to the plate, her first extra-base hit and sixth overall hit of the year.
UP NEXT
Illinois and UCLA return to the diamond, on Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m. CT for game two of the three-game series. The game can be streamed on B1G+.
