Illinois softball defeated Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) 9-8 on April 15 at Eichelberger Field in Urbana, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs. The Fighting Illini secured the win with strong performances from Eileen Donahue and pitcher Abby Sabalaskey.
The game was notable for its back-and-forth scoring. Illinois started with a three-run lead in the first inning and extended it to five runs after Donahue hit a two-run home run in the second. SEMO responded with multiple home runs of their own, eventually taking a 7-5 lead by the fourth inning. Donahue tied the game again for Illinois with her second two-run homer of the night.
Donahue finished 3-for-4 at bat, driving in four runs and recording her third multi-home run game this season. “Eileen Donahue notched two home runs, her third game with two home runs this season, and first since March 18 against Missouri,” according to postgame notes released by Illinois athletics staff.
Other notable contributions came from Skylar Brennan, who scored three times and recorded her twelfth multi-hit game of the year, while Alaina Miller went a perfect 2-for-2 at bat. Pitcher Abby Sabalaskey closed out the final innings without allowing any more SEMO runs, improving her record to six wins and lowering her earned run average to 4.93.
The University of Illinois Fighting Illini Women’s Softball program participates in intercollegiate competitions as part of NCAA Division I within the Big Ten Conference according to its official website. The team plays its home games in Urbana under the nickname “Fighting Illini” as reported by university sources.
Looking ahead, Illinois will travel east for a Big Ten series against Maryland from April 17 through April 19. All games are scheduled to be streamed on B1G+.
