CLEARWATER, Fla. – Illinois scored 13 unanswered runs across the first three innings Sunday afternoon, as the Illini defeated Bethune-Cookman by a score of 13-5 at the Eddie C. Moore Complex. The game was the last of five played on the weekend by Bethune-Cookman as part of the Michele Smith-Clearwater Parks & Rec Spring Tournament hosted by USF.
 
Bethune-Cookman (9-23) jumped on the board first in the top-half of the opening inning.
 
Junior centerfielder Mariah Davis kicked things off with a leadoff triple, only to be plated two batters later by junior first baseman Iesha Waters courtesy a sacrifice fly to center field.
 
With BCU up, 1-0 heading into the home-half of the frame, Illinois (16-8) wasted little time rattling BCU freshman right-hander Destiny Enriquez in the pitcher's circle.
 
The Illini used five hits in the half-inning to plate four runs, including two doubles and a triple. Third baseman Annie Fleming tallied a run-scoring triple, while left fielder Nicole Evans used a run-scoring double in the frame.
 
Illinois would go on to score two (2) and seven (7) runs in each of the second and third innings, respectively.
 
Freshman pitcher Mariah Estrada would see her first action on the weekend out of the bullpen for the Maroon and Gold.
 
BCU battled back with four runs in the top-half of the fourth inning.
 
Freshman Yvonne Siordia recorded a leadoff single, only to be replaced by classmate Jacki Smith in the form of a pinch runner. After Smith stole second and later advanced to third, senior Kaitlin Alamprese delivered a RBI single to center that scored Smith. Later in the inning, second baseman Kailey Richard drew a RBI walk from Illinois reliever Akilah Mouzon to bring BCU within 13-3.
 
Waters would walk in the next at-bat to plate Taylor Sherritt, sparking a pitching change for the Illini.
 
Davis would complete the scoring for the Maroon and Gold, using a wild pitch from Erin Walker in order to close the gap at 13-5.
 
The win went to Illinois starter Taylor Edwards (8-1), as she went three innings in the circle, allowing one run on three hits, two walks and a strikeout.
 
Meanwhile, BCU's Enriquez fell to 0-12 on the year with the loss. She went 2.2 innings, being tagged for six runs (five earned) on seven hits and a walk. Estrada went an inning in the circle, giving up three runs on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts.
 
The Cats offense used a perfect 2-for-2 showing at the plate by Alamprese, while Davis notched a hit and scored twice. Waters added a pair of RBIs on the day as well.
 
Bethune-Cookman opens Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play March 24, as the Wildcats travel to Savannah State for a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.
 
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