URBANA — Allie Bauch saw four pitches Sunday while leading off for Illinois softball against visiting Iowa. The fourth offering from Shayla Starkenburg was driven out of Eichelberger Field.
It turned out to be all the Illini would need in securing a Big Ten series sweep. But Illinois didn’t know that, and so it kept scoring.
The Illini eventually jumped out to a 6-0 lead after one frame before winning 8-0 in five innings on National Fastpitch Coaches Association StrikeOut Cancer Day.
The triumph gave Illinois (31-19, 10-10 Big Ten) it’s first conference sweep of the season and extended its win streak to four games.