Box Score

URBANA, Ill. – Illinois used early offense to take control and eventually secure a 7-1 win over Maryland in game two of the teams' three-game series Saturday. The Terps (15-22, 5-3 B1G) remained within striking distance into the fifth, before a four-run inning gave the Illini (24-13, 5-4 B1G) a six-run advantage.

Maryland notched five hits on the day, including two singles from Brigette Nordberg.

Illinois used three hits to score three runs in the first, before the Terps managed to respond in the top of the third. A single from Amanda Brashear and a fielder's choice from Mikayla Werahiko put two on with no outs, before Destiney Henderson laid down a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third.

Skylynne Ellazar converted on a long fly ball to center field, scoring Brashear from third on the sac fly, but the Illini limited any further damage with a pop up to end the frame.

A two out rally in the fourth inning would lead to four runs for the hosts, as Illinois got three consecutive hits before a runner left early from first and ended the inning.

Maryland again had runners on second and third in the sixth with one out, but a ground out and line out stopped the comeback momentum.

Maryland will wrap up the series tomorrow at 1:00 pm ET/2:00 pm CT.  

-Terps-