CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The University of Iowa softball team defeated Illinois, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at Eichelberger Field.
Freshman Jaylee Ojo (4-3) got the start for the Hawkeyes and had a career day throwing her third complete game of the season. Freshman Soo-Jin Berry was the only Iowa hitter to have a multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
The Hawkeyes were able to load the bases in the top of the second with one out and sophomore Skylinn Pogue capitalized with and RBI single to left field. Senior Grace Baes followed suit with an RBI single of her own to give Iowa the, 2-0, lead. Illinois got one back in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly.
Iowa kept its offense going in the top of the third with an RBI double from freshman Soo-Jin Berry to score Devin Bowman from first base making it a, 3-1, game. Ojo continued to mow down the Illini hitters picking up three strikeouts in the bottom of the third inning.
The Hawkeyes added insurance in the top of the sixth on an RBI double from Avery Jackson and a sac fly from Banes to extend the lead to three. Ojo got into some trouble in the bottom of the seventh as the Illini loaded the bases with no outs. Illinois plated one run on a sac fly to make it, 5-3, and loaded the bases once again. Ojo locked in and got the final two outs to secure the Hawkeye victory.
Iowa finished the game with five runs on nine hits and one error.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH RENEE GILLISPIE
“What a game for Jaylee. She gave us everything she had today and for us to pull out the win it was a good day. It has been a tough stretch for us but for them to come out today and fight it shows the character of this team. I expect them to come out with the same energy tomorrow as we close out the season.”
NOTABLES
- Ojo set a career-high with 10 strikeouts.
- Banes has reached base in the last 13 games.
- Banes and Young have recorded a hit in the last seven games.
- The Hawkeyes snapped a 16-game losing streak.
- Pogue has caught 13 baserunners stealing this season.