Freshman Monica Perry continues to impress for the Illinois softball team, as she picked up both victories in an Illini sweep over Wisconsin earlier today.  Perry tossed a no-hitter in game one, an 8-0 Illini run-rule victory in five innings.  Game two wasn't as easy, as Perry had to go the distance this time in 3-2 Illini triumph.  The Illini improved to 5-2 in the Big Ten and 20-10 overall, while the struggling Badgers fall to 1-5 in the conference and 12-24 overall.

Perry's no-hitter was the first complete game no-hitter for Illinois in nearly six years, when Sherri Taylor no-hit Valparaiso on April 29, 2003.  Illinois did have two pitchers combine for a no-hitter earlier this season, when Ashley Wright and Taylor Call combined to whitewash Prairie View A&M on February 21.  It's the eighth no-hitter in program history.  Perry has 15 of the Illini's 20 victories on the season, as she improved to 15-8 on the year.

Offensively, junior outfielder Hope Howell was a thorn in the Badgers' side all day, as she reached base six times in seven plate appearences, scoring four runs.  It was Howell who scored the game-winner for the Illini in the narrow nightcap victory, as she scored from third on a fielder's choice by catcher Lana Armstrong.  The Lithonia, Georgia native is second on the team with 24 runs scored, and leads the Illini with 26 RBI.

The Illini host a pair of in-state non-conference foes this week, as Illinois State and Bradley will visit Eichelberger Field on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively. before resuming Big Ten play at Ohio State on Saturday and Sunday.  WDWS will broadcast Thursday's game against Bradley, which starts at 6 pm.  I'll call play-by-play, so if you can't make it to Eichelberger, I hope you'll join us on the radio.  Thanks for reading.

bmoline@wdws.com