URBANA, Ill. — Illinois softball (12-31, 2-12 Big Ten) defeated SEMO, 9-8, on Wednesday evening at Eichelberger Field, in the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Eileen Donahue tallied three hits, including two home runs, and left-handed pitcher Abby Sabalaskey hurled the final 3.2 frames in the circle to pick up her sixth win of the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting pitcher Megan Nuechterlein retired the Redhawks in order to start the game.
Skylar Brennan then led off the bottom of the frame with a walk, and Adisyn Caryl reached on an error to push her into scoring position. A base hit from Ellie Haggard loaded the bases, and Keirys Click was hit by pitch to score Brennan. Ady Kiddy walked, scoring Caryl, and the final run of the inning scored on a ground out to first from Delaney Mosley.
A two-run homer from Eileen Donahue in the bottom of the second extended the Fighting Illini's advantage to five runs.
SEMO began battling back in the top of the third, with a solo home run from Lily Delmain putting its first run on the scoreboard. An RBI single from Sydney Miles added another run before the frame ended, cutting the Illinois lead to three.
The Redhawks later took a 7-5 lead in the top of the fourth, behind a three-score home run from Aubrie Shore, and two-run homer from Gracie Luna. Illinois fought back to knot the contest in the bottom of the frame, with a second two-score home run from Donahue.
Knotted at seven runs apiece, Delmain notched an RBI single for SEMO in the fifth, but the Fighting Illini once again responded, behind base hits from Ava Moore, Brennan, and Caryl, and walks from Alaina Miller and Ellie Haggard, taking a 9-8 lead into the sixth inning.
Relief pitcher Sabalaskey retired the side in order in the sixth and tallied a pair of strikeouts in the final frame, securing the 9-8 victory for Illinois.
POSTGAME NOTES
- Eileen Donahue notched two home runs, her third game with two home runs this season, and first since March 18 against Missouri.
- Donahue was 3-for-4 at the plate with four RBI, her third outing of the year with three or more hits, and fourth with four or more RBI.
- Donahue now owns eight multi-RBI games on the season and 7 multi-hit games.
- Leadoff hitter Skylar Brennan was 2-for-4 at the plate along with a walk and three runs, her 12th multi-hit game of the year.
- Alaina Miller was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk, her third multi-hit game of the year, and first since February 21 against Providence.
- Adisyn Caryl was 2-for-5 at the plate with an RBI, her 11th multi-hit game and third consecutive game reaching base.
- Pinch hitter Ella Cady reached base for the first time this season, after being hit by pitch for the first time in her career.
- Ella Cushing reached base for the third time in as many pinch hit appearances this week, after also being hit by a pitch.
- Winning pitcher Abby Sabalaskey improves her record to 6-7, and lowers her season ERA to 4.93, now best on the staff.
- Sabalaskey also tallied two strikeouts, good for 48 total on the year.
UP NEXT
Illinois travels east for its third Big Ten series against Maryland, April 17-19. First times are slated for 5 p.m. CT, 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, and 11 a.m. CT on Sunday. All three games can be streamed on B1G+.
